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THE 

HERO or MEDFIELD; 

CONTAINING THE 

JOUENALS AND LETTERS 

OF 

ALLEN ALONZO KINGSBURY, 

/I 

OF aiEDFIELD, 



Member of Co. H, Chelsea Toluuteers, Ma.s!«. 1st Reg.^ 

I 

I WHO WAS 

I 

i Killed by the Rekls near Yorktowii, April 26, 1862. 



NOTICE OF THE OTHER THREE SOLDIERS BELONGIXG TO THE 
SAME COMPANY AND KILLED AT THE SAME TIME ; EUNERAL 
SERVICES AT CHELSEA AND MEDFIELD ; HISTORIC AND POETIC 
ACCOUNT OF MEDFIELD, &c. &c. 




^^d \ ^ C^^>c 



C t. Cf J' 



THIS BOOK 



IS AFPECTIONATELY 

Dedicated to tlie Young Men of Medfield, 

BY THE EDITOR. 




BOSTON: 



JOHN M. HEWES, PRINTER, 81 CORNHILL. 

1 8 G 2 . 






I 



Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1862, 

BY E. A. JOHNSON", 

In ihe Clerk's Office of the District Court for tho District of Massachusetts. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Solemn and mournful indeed are the thoughts 
which thrill my bosom as I read over and arrange for 
publication, these letters and journals of my dear de- 
parted friend ! The nobleness and holiness of the 
cause in -which he so bravely fought and so bravely 
fell, the cheering hope we are permitted to indulge 
that he has now passed' on to that bright world where 
" wars and rumors of wars " are unheard and unknown, 
even these considerations cannot entirely remove 
from the mind the feeling of sadness and loneliness 
occasioned by this bereavement. And often has the 
question arisen, " is it possible that he, who wrote out 
these letters, and kept Avith so much care and accuracy 
the journals, has indeed passed from earth away ? 
Can it be that we shall never again see his face, that 
we shall meet him no more here below ? '^ Yes, it is 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

even so ! Back from that soldier^ s grave in the beau- 
tiful Cemetery in Medfield, comes the solemn assur- 
ance that he is slumbering with the dead. 

But in this hour of sorro^Y and darkness, methinks 
I hear a voice saying unto us, " Be still and know 
that I am God." Confident, therefore, that " He 
who doeth all things well, who noteth even the spar- 
row's fall, has some wise purpose to accomplish by 
this afflictive dispensation of His Providence, with un- 
complaining resignation to His will, let us say with 
true, trusting, filial affection, " Even so. Father, for 
so it seemeth good unto thee ! " And may all the rel- 
tives and friends of the deceased be ever able to say, 
with regard to this event, — " It is good for us that we 
have been afflicted." 

By a careful perusal of these letters we become 
somewhat acquainted with " camp life." We learn, 
to some extent, the hardships and deprivations our j 
brave soldiers endure in their efforts to crush out this 
most unrighteous rebellion. And alas, how much they j 
do suffer ! True, some days they " fare sumptuous- \ 
ly," and others (and doubtless there are many such,) » 
have hardly half enough to eat, and even that of a [ 
poor quality. When marching from place to place it 
is not to be expected that they could fare, in all re- 
spects, as would be desirable, but I apprehend that 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

their suffering in this direction is greatly increased by 
the neglect, ignorance and inefficiency of the Com- 
missaries. It is indeed lamentable to think that per- 
sons appointed to so responsible a position, and receiv- 
ing good pay from the government for their services, 
and their supijlies too, from the same source, should 
allow those dependent upon them to suffer. x\nd yet 
such has been unquestionably the case in many in- 
stances. Will not the curse of God follow such ? 

We learn also, that amidst all the hardships and 
deprivations of camp life, the calm, cool, deliberate 
determination of the soldiers is to put down rebellion, 
and restore peace and harmony again. We see the 
inveterate hatred which the soldiers cherish toward 
that wicked institution which is the principal cause of 
our difficulties. 

But without further comment or introduction I be- 
speak for the book a careful, candid and thorough 
perusal ; and hope that the noble patriotic example 
of our lamented friend will be followed by others, that 
they will be stimulated to greater activity, — that if 
necessary they will, as he did, sacrifice home, friends, 
and even life itself, for the good of our beloved 
Country. We are now probably passing through the 
most critical and precarious period of the campaign, 
, a period when there should be no relaxation of effort, 



b INTRODUCTION. 

but when there should be the utmost unanimity, firm- 
ness and decision. The enemy is making his last 
desperate struggle ; let us be fully prepared to meet 
them, and by the blessing of Heaven the victory is 
ours. 

E. A. J. 

Medfield, July, 1862. 



JOURNAL. 



Cambridge, June 1 5th, 1861, 
Keceived $11.60 from the State, and prepared to march 
to Boston to go to "Washington. When on Boston Com- 
mon saw all the folks— saw father, but did not see mother. 
Was tired, marched to the Providence station, took the 
cars at 8 o'clock, was in the cars all night, and took the 
boat Commonwealth about 1 o'clock for Jersey City. 

June IG. Arrived in Jersey City at 4 o'clock; great 
reception at the depot. Take the cars for Camden, ride 
all night. At Camden take the boat for Philadelphia. 

June 17. Arrived in Philadelphia at 5, P. M. Ob- 
tained refreshments. Marched througli the city to the 
station. Took the cars for Baltimore ; arrived there at 
11 o'clock. Marched through the city to the Camden 
station. Left at 12, M., for Washington. Had a pleas- 
ant ride. Beautiful scenery on the road, alongside of the 
Delaware river. Saw ripe peaches and cherries. Arrived 
in AVashington at 6, P. M. Stop on Pennsylvania 
Avenue. Passed the night in AVoodward's Building. 
Slept up four stories high. Some tired. 



JOURNAL 



June 18. I write tliis seated upon a sofa in the grand 
reception room of the " White House" at Washington. 
In the room are eight hirge mirrors, four sofas, twenty- 
four chairs, and three large chandeliers. The sofas and 
chairs are covered with red velvet. I have rambled about 
the city to-day considerable. Ascended the dome of the 
Capitol, 280 feet from the ground, could see all over the 
city, Alexandria, Arlington Heights, and Mt. Vernon. 
I then visited the government buildings, the Post Office, 
Smithsonian Institute, Treasury Building, War Depart- 
ment, Patent Office, and the Market. Help eat two 
quarts of strawberries with Corporal Jewett. Came back 
to the Regiment, rescued a negro from the police, had 
quite a time. Slept on the floor, and as usual slept sound. 
Don't think much of the city. 

June 10. Two more regiments arrived. Went to the 
Market, got some strawberries and cream for breakfost. 
All we had at our quarters was hard bread and coffee. 
At 11 marched around the city. Passed the White 
House, saw ^^ Honest Old Abe.'' ^ Had a hard march to 
our camp at Georgetown Heights, about five miles. Ar- 
rived there at 3 o'clock, P. M. Pitched our tents, got 
supper of coffee and bread, went to bod, slept sound. 

June 20. No drill, loafed all day. Built a cook shop. 
I was chosen second cook. Don't have to drill any now, 
but have to work hard to cook for 100 men. Stole the 
boards of which we built the shop. They are building 
shops all round us. 

June 21. Slept under arms. Alarmed at 2 o'clock. 
Sold again ! Cooked beefsteak to-day — the men growl 
some at their rations. Coffee and bread for breakfast, 



JOURNAL. 9 

beefsteak for dinner, coffee, bread and corned beef for 
supper. 

June 22. Different persons from different regiments 
around our camp. A secessionist caught with a loaded 
gun, an old fowling piece. A great deal of growling 
about the rations, salt junk, hard bread, coffee ; nothing in 
particular. 

June 23. Inspection for the first time. General loaf- 
ing time. Divine services by the Chaplain to-day at 12 
o'clock. Did not have breakfast until 9, the men were 
mad enough. Had soup, boiled rice and salt junk for 
dinner, which we ate at 2, P. M. Any quantity of ice 
cream and peddlers on the ground. It is very pleasant, 
but very hot, I sleep on the ground in the open air, the 
moon and stars looking right down upon me. 

June 24. Up early this morning. Boiled rice with 
sugar sauce for dinner. Fresh beef for supper, 9 o'clock, 
P. M., just through with supper. Have got seventy-five 
pounds salt junk, and twenty-five pounds salt pork for 
to-morrow. We raised a flag-staff this afternoon, and now 
the stars and stripes wave over our camp. Had quite a 
time raising it, the band played several national airs, and 
two or three speeches were made. 

June 25. Hot and still, nothing new going on except 
building a new oven, and a nice one too, holds four or 
five pans. Last night our picket guard caught two 
mounted men and put them in the guard house. Our 
Captain was ofiicer of the day. As they proved to be 
U. S. ofiicers they were discharged. Heard firing over 
the river this afternoon, something is up, shall hear to- 
night. 



10 JOURNAL. 

June 26. Very warm and sultry, think we sliall Iiave 
sBowers before night. This afternoon, just as the regi- 
ment were going out to drill, it began to rain ; they got as 
far as the parade ground when it rained so that they came 
back to camp " double quick,'''' but it soon cleared off, so 
after supper they went on dress parade. 

June 27* Very warm. After breakfast went out ber- 
rying, found as many blackberries and thimbleberries as I 
could eat : made me think of home. To-night Mr. Picker- 
ing, Jonas French, Gen. Mansfield, and Henry Wilson 
visited us. There is some talk of disbanding this regi- 
ment, I hope not. There is a great deal of gi'umbling 
among the men, they want to go home, but I am satisfied. 
It is indeed a hard place, worse than farming, but the 
cause is good. 

June 28. Nothing of much consequence occurred to- 
day ; received a bundle from Eoxbury and a letter from 
home. It is awful hot here in the middle of the day. 

June 29. Kainy last night and this morning. We 
had quite a time last night ; about 11 or 12 o'clock, the 
whole regiment was alarmed by the cry of " Turn out 
Co. H," aroused me from pleasant dreams of home. But 
it did not prove to be much ; an Irishman shot a gun at 
his wife, he was arrested and put in the guard house, let 
off this morning. 

June 30. Cloudy to-day. Inspection of arms and 
accoutrements. Divine service at half past 11. Heard a 
church bell to-day for the first time since I left Cambridge, 
it seemed like home. I have not been very well to-day. 

July 1. Fair and hot. The Co. went to target shooting 
this forenoon. This afternoon to dress parade, just as 



JOURNAL. 11 

they were done it began to rain. We had our baked 
beans out in the mess pans, six of them, when it com- 
menced to pour ; I never saw it rain harder. Tlie boys 
got most of their beans, but not all, and the last T saw of 
them they were going off down stream at a 2.40 joo-, with 
tin plates, knives, forks, spoons, barrels, hard bread and 
other mii^cellaneous articles. We had fourteen pounds of 
sugar in a pan under a barrel, the wind blew tlie barrel 
over, and the sugar melted. In the tent where I slept 
the water rushed through like a river, there were fifteen of 
us standing in it holding up our knapsacks to keep our 
clothes out of the water. I slept on two boards with my 
feet to the fire. 

July 2. This morning the "sun rose clear and bright : 
the camp was alive early — the boys were out sunning them- 
selves. Roast beef for supper. I saw a large comet last 
night in the northwest. We expect a brush with the 
rebels now before long. Just been gazing at the comet, 
and at the signal lights, do not know whether they are the- 
Federals or the enemy, think they are at Harper's Ferry. 
The comet is the largest one I ever saw. The Captain 
expects marching orders before morning. I don't know 
where, nor do I care if it is toward the enemy. 

July 3. Hot to-day. The Col. gives orders to pack 
up and be ready to march to another camp. In about 
half an hour the order is countermanded. We had just 
got our beans into the oven when the order came, but we- 
go to-morrow. An express from Chelsea with letters and 
bundles for the men, but none for me — did not expect 
any. '' 'Tis the night before the Fourth,''^ but I can't 
realize it. They say we arc to have a brush with the 
enemy to-morrow as a celebration over in Virginia. 



12 J O U II N A L . 

July 4. The day we celebrate as the anniversary of 
our Nation's birth. Arose at 4 o'clock, the band com- 
menced playing beneath the stars and stripes. We could 
distinctly hear the rattling of musketry across the river on 
Arlino-ton Heights. At 7 o'clock, A. M., was mustered 
out for drill. After breakfast we went to target shooting. 
Roast beef and potatoes and lemonade for dinner. In the 
afternoon Grov. Andrew called upon us. At 4 had a 
speech from Hon. Mr. Eliot, of Mass. Expected Mr. 
Wilson and Gov. Andrew to address us, but they were 
engaged. At night we had any quantity of bonfires, fire 
crackers, &c. Saw immense number of rockets from 
Washington and Georgetown. The boys seemed to en- 
joy themselves, but it did not seem to me much like the 
4th of July. 

July 5. Hot. Examinations of companies going on to- 
day. Our turn to-morrow. Boiled rice for breakfast, 
soup for dinner, bread and coffee for supper. Some growl- 
ing again about the feed. Help cut the meat for to-mor- 
row, worked till 10 o'clock at night. Received some let- 
ters to-night, much pleased with them. A soldier's life is 
always gay, but it ain't so here, that's so. 

July 6. Cloudy and misty this morning. My beans 
did not get done for breakfast, so we had beefsteak. 
Beans for dinner. Hon. Henry Wilson and others ad- 
dressed us this afternoon. The regiment was presented 
with a banner from the National Guards of California, by 
a member of the Co. We have received some new pants 
to-day, dark blue. Are to have blue jackets I believe. 
Burnt and ground ten pounds of coffee this afternoon. 

July 7. I went to Washington to-day, rode on one of 



! 



JOURNAL. 13 

the teams that went for flour and beef. Three teams got 
their flour under the Capital. Eode about the city upon 
a horse. I wore blue pants and shirt, red skull cap, with 
my revolver in my belt. A fugitive slave came into 
camp to-day, his master was after him. It was very hot 
to-day. Had dinner at the Capital, had ham and eggs 
and green peas. Walked back to camp, arrived there at 
4, P. M. 

July 8. Hot. Two companies gone to Harper's Ferry 
as advance guard. They started at 9, A. M. At noon 
two wagons with provisions started, with four of our com- 
pany, and four of the Fusiliers as guard. Hon. Charles 
Sumner and a Mr. Healy visited us just at night to-day. 

July 9. Very hot and misty. On guard, about 5, P. 
M. there was a heavy shower. The cook had just made 
the tea and boiled the rice. As I write this it rains, thun- 
ders and lightens tremendously. We have awful showers 
here, but the guard must be out if it does rain, it is one 
of the privileges of a soldier's life ! 

July 10. Fair and hot. Came oflf guard at half past 
9, went off scouting, swimming and picking blackberries. 
One of the " True Blues " died this morning, named John 
Grant, of Boston. Funeral at half past 4 this afternoon, 
the services occurred in front of the camp, under a Cedar 
tree. A shower came up just at the close of the services, 
and drove us all into our tents. The wind blew, rained, 
thundered and lightened terribly. Soldier's luck ! supper 
all spoiled ! 

July 11. Warm. Had a good night's rest last night. 
Each man received forty rounds of cartridges, with caps, 
and a roll of red tape. Is to be a grand review by Gen. 



14 JOURNAL. 

Mansfield, aided by Gen. Tyler. Another thunder shower 
to-day. 

July 12. Pretty warm. On guard, on two hours, off 
four. Countersign to-day is Camden. My post is oppo- 
site the wagons. One of the guard fired upon a man who 
threw a stone at him. 

July 13. Rained most of the forenoon. On guard. 
One of the guard had a stone thrown at him, we all turned 
out and marched two miles, but could find no one. An- 
other of the guard fired upon a man who was outside the 
lines and would not give the countersign. Did not hit 
him. 

July 14. Fair and pleasant. Col. Wells drilled Cos. 
G. and H. in skirmish drill. It is first rate, gives one an 
appetite for breakfast. Glorious news ! Gen. McClellan 
has routed 10,000 rebels at Beverly. Took 1000 prison- 
ers, 60 horses and wagons, 200 tents, and everything, 
even to their tin cups. Glorious victory ! The news was 
read to us by the Chaplain after dress parade. 

July 15. Went out a.bout a mile and a half on skir- 
mish drill. Hungry when I came back. Beans, coffee 
and hard bread were in good demand for a while. Battle 
at Manassas Gap. Federal troops victorious, took 1000 
prisoners. Just received orders to march to-morrow after- 
noon into Virginia. 

July 10. Cloudy. Orders to pack our knapsacks, 
save out our blankets, roll them up and sling them on our 
backs, and to take three days' rations. 12, M., every 
thing in confusion, striking tents, packing knapsacks, &c. 
We are going somewhere sure. Started at 4, P. M,, 



JOURNAL. 15 

marched till 11, camped in an open field. There are four 
regiments. 

July 17. Here we are camped upon the disputed soil. 
Lay last night on the ground upon our rubber blankets, 
our woollen ones over us. We marched yesterday about 
twelve miles. The name of this place is Vienna, it is 
where the rebels fired upon the Ohio troops from a masked 
battery; 32,000 troops with us now. At 11, A. M., 
halted in sight of Fairfax Court House. As we marched 
along we saw places in the woods where the rebels had cut 
down the trees to blockade the way. When we passed 
through Germantown saw three houses on fire, we are here 
in them — every body has left the country — 1,800 rebel 
troops left the place only one hour ahead of us. There 
are from 60,000 to 80,000 of our men here in sight of us 
now, two batteries, Sherman's and the Rhode Island ; 
four reo-inients in our brio-ade, two Michio;an, one New 
York, one Massachusetts. On picket guard last night, 
very tired, never saw such roads in New England, worse 
than they are in Vermont. 

July 18. Started at 8, A. M. Our Co. heads the 
column. Gen. Tyler in command. Marched about five 
miles when Cos. G. and H. are sent out as skirmishers. 
Marched about two miles, saw some rebel troops, went 
another mile, saw a rebel batter3\ Sent back for our 
artillery, commenced the battle by throwing shells and 
balls into their camp. We have not had much to eat yes- 
terday nor to-day, our provisions are about out, only one 
cracker apiece, but the boys are in good spirits and eager 
for a fight. 

July 19. Yesterday we had an awful figlit in a swamp 
called "Bull Run." Co.'s H. and G. were shockingly 



16 JOURNAL. ■ 

cut to pieces, about half of the two Co.'s were killed or 
wounded. I am wounded, a spent cannon ball struck me 
in the leg, and felled me to the ground. I was also 
wounded internally by having a wounded man ftill on me. 
I am in the hospital at Centreville, there are twenty here, 
some are fatally wounded — some are shot through the arms, 
legs and feet. One man had his ear shot off by a cannon 
ball, one was shot through the abdomen, he cannot live. 
One had his leg taken off by a rifled cannon ball ; one 
was struck by a cannon ball in the thigh, he cannot live. 
Six of our Co. are dead, six wounded and 11 missing. 

July 20. In the hospital, though not seriously injured. 
The Federal troops have been passing by here all day, in- 
fantiy, cavalry and artillery, and one heavy gun, sixteen 
feet long, drawn by ten horses. The houses here are of 
the poorest kind, built of logs filled in with mud, with 
chimneys on the outside. The building we are in is a 
church, built of slate stone laid in mortar, the inside is as 
rough as the outside. 

July 21. Troops are now marching past here. It is 
Sunday, but don't seem much like it to me. I should like 
to be in Medfield this morning. Left the hospital to join 
the regiment, but they would not let me. The battle 
commenced at 9, and lasted four hours. Our troops were 
driven in, when the retreat began — it was awful to witness. 
The road was filled with teams and soldiers, the men threw 
away their provision, guns, everything they could spare. 
I rode on a wagon to Washington, arrived there at 11, A. 
M., Monday. 

July 22. Here we are again in our old camp, (Banks) 
and it seems like home. The Co.'s come straggling in. 
Some of the men are left behind on the road, probably they 

1 
\ 



JOURNAL. 17 

are overtaken and JnUed by the rebels. Everything seems 
sad and gloomy. The men are quiet, they arc tired out, 
and so am I. I wish I was at home. 

July 23. Fair and fine, but the men did not start out 
yery early, the}^ are tired out. The battle last Sunday 
was an awful one, tlie Fire Zouaves and the New York 
69th and 7 9th were frightfully cut to pieces. Of the 
1000 Zouaves, only about 400 are left ! In the fight of 
Thursday, the 18th, our Co. lost six killed, seven wounded 
and one missing. Co. G. lost sixteen killed and wounded. 
I was knocked down three times by the balls, and by a 
cannon ball which struck me in the knee — I am very lame 
now. We are preparing to remove to Arlington Heights. 

July 24. Have moved across the Potomac, camped on 
a level plain by the side of a cornfield. It is a very 
pleasant place, we can see a long distance down the Poto- 
mac, and a full view of Washington. Fort Albany which 
we occupy, commands the road to Fairfax and the long 
bridge. I am very lame, and growing worse. 

July 25. Fair and pleasant. Saw a balloon this morn- 
ing, looked as though it had burst, it was going down at a 
fearful rate, there is one sent up every day to reconnoitre. 
Several men from Chelsea arrived to-day with an express, 
bringing boxes, packages, &c. 

July 26. Pleasant. As the fort is not done we occu- 
py our tents. Boiled squash for dinner, blackberries and 
milk for supper. 

July 27. Cloudy. Ecceived a box from home, but a 

jug of vinegar had got upset and broken, so most of the 

things were spoiled. For breakfast this morning had 

beefsteak, loliite bread, tea and corn cake, blackberries 

2 



18 JOURNAL. 

and sugar for supper. Obtained a furlougb for twenty 
days. 

July 28. Sunday again, but does not seem like last 
Sunday when we were in the battle-field. The men have 
cut down a fruit orchard, they have also cut down the 
woods in every direction to prevent the rebels from hiding 
in them. Thunder shower to-night ; expect to start for 
home to-morrow. 

July 29. Cloudy and warm. Received our blue jack- 
ets to-day ; expected to be paid off to-day, but the pay- 
master did not bring only half money enough. Heavy 
shower to-night. 

July 30. Hot, but pleasant. A grand review to.-day 
by Gren. McClcUan. Lieut. Austin procured a chance for 
us to come home in the steamer Ben Deford, by way of 
Fortress Monroe. We start for home at 6, A. M., to- 
morrow. 

July 31. On board steamer. Did not sleep well my 
first night on the water. We were towed into the stream 
by the tug' boat Tempest, of Georgetown. The steamer 
S. R. Spaulding accompanied us. But few passengers 
aboard. At 9, A. M., went past Mt. Vernon, a very 
pleasant place ; at 10, A. M., passed Aquia Creek, saw the 
rebel batteries and flag. At 12, M. , passed Mathias Point, 
expected a shot from the rebel battery there. At 3, P. 
M., passed St. Mary's light off the coast of Maryland. 
The Spaulding fired several times below Mathias Point, she 
is armed with two iron and one brass gun ; 5, P. M., at 
the mouth of the Potomac ; can just distinguish the shore. 

Auo-. 1. At 12, M., anchored within two miles of Fort- 
ress Monroe. About half way from the fort to Scwall's 



JOURNAL. 19 

Point, whicli is in sight, is a small Island called Rip Raps. 
The government intends building a fort there ; we are two 
miles from shore on one side, and five on the other. At 
4, P. M., about quarter of a mile from the fort; there are 
400 guns in this fort. Directly opposite is Sewall's 
Point, where there is a rebel breastwork and battery. 
Mr. Evans, U. S. Deputy Marshal, of Baltimore, is ou 
board as passenger. A thunder shower at a distance ; 
can see the wreck of the steamer California which was 
burnt on the 2d of July last, by the secessionists. It was 
employed by the Government to carry troops ; was owned 
in Boston. 

Aug. 2. Very pleasant. The rebels have erected a 
tent over ou the Point, and are watching us pretty sharp. 

Aug. 3. Pleasant, but hot. Staid on deck last night 
till midni2;ht watchino- the vessels signalino; from the fort 
to Newport News with lights. We fare first rate with re- 
gard to food, live as well as we should at home. We go 
to Newport News to-morrow to take on board a Vermont 
regiment ; their term of service expired on the 2d inst. 
Saw a balloon ascend this afternoon, it was attached to a 
steamboat. A novel sight truly, to see a steamboat mov- 
ing along on the water, and a balloon attached to it by a 
lope, moving along in the air ! What would people have 
said a hundred years ago to have seen such a contrivance. 
Steam and gas, one for the water, the other for the air. 

Aug, 4, Pleasant. Went to Newport News this af- 
ternoon for the Vermont regiment ; not much of a place. 
There are four or five regiments, a battery of six guns, 
one rifled cannon that will throw across the river. 

Aug. 5. On board the steamer. We are now on our 



20 JOURNAL. 

way to old Massachusetts. As wo came down from 
Newport News the rcLels from Sewall's Point fired at the 
**^panlding, winch was ahead of us, the shot came about 
200 feet from her. The boat rolled and pitched badly. 

Aug. 6. Did not sleep well last night, the boat rolled 
so. At 7 this morning, passed Highland light ; at half 
past we went passed Sandy Hook. AVe are now going up 
the river to N. Y. harbor. Stop to leave passengers, and 
took on board a pilot to go with us. up East river. Any 
quantity of ferry boats and tugs, plying between Jersey 
City and Brooklyn. Steam whistle blowing, people cheer- 
ing and waving their handkerchiefs. Now on Long Island 
Sound. Some splendid residences along the shore. Just 
passed Fourt Schuyler, the strongest fort in New York. 
2, P. M., opposite New Haven ; on each side of the 
channel are flats where there are immense quantities of 
oystei's. New Haven is a great place for oysters, I should 
judge. Arrived at the railroad wharf; landed the troops. 
The main part of the town is about a mile and a half from 
the wharf; I did not sec it. Saw the East Rock and 
West Rock, they are very high bluffs. A gentleman of 
the Vermont regiment gave me a ring and piece of wood 
which came off from a Mulberry tree at Newport News, 
under which Lord Cornwallis and his staff dined when 
they came to take Yorktown. It has seemed to-day that 
we were getting into a civilized country again. We have 
been on board seven nights. I shall think I am an old 
" salt " soon. 

Aug. 7. Quite cold ; it seems quite different from the 
air at Fortress Monroe, or at Washington. AVhen I came 
on deck this morning we were passing Martha's Vineyard. 
Passed Holmes Hole and Nantucket ; at 7 passed the 



JOURNAL. 21 

light boat Relief; now ninety-eight miles from Boston. 
At 8 passed Chatliam, can see the high sand banks on the 
shore. The Spaulding is three or four miles ahead, they 
have plenty of soft coal, we have only hard, and but a 
small supply of that. We arrived at Central wharf, Bos- 
ton, at 4, P. M. ; Mayor Fay, of Chelsea, procured a car- 
riage for mo, to carry me to the Providence depot, where 
I arrived at 5, P. M. This looks indeed like a civilized 
country to what it does down South. I am now on the 
road home I 



LETTERS. 



Letter I. 

East Boston, April 21, 1861. 
Dear Father, Mother, and all friends : 

Yesterday I enlisted in the Chelsea Light Infantry. 
There are 80 men in the Co., and a fine looking set of 
fellows they are. I staid at the Captain's house last night. 
Mr. Haydn gave me the recommendation. 

Have been to meeting to-day at the Chestnut Street 
Church. The ladies of the church presented us with a 
copy of the New Testament. 

We are furnished with everything we need. Will write 
no more now. Good bye ! A. A. K. 



Letter IL 

Chelsea, April 28, 1861. 
My Dear Father and Mother : 

Having a little spare time I will write you a few lines. 
I am well, except a severe cold, but that is better now. 



LETTERS. 23 

I shall soon he well, I think, if I keep in d^ors evenings ; 
the weather is different here from what it is in Medfield, 
the wind is nearly all the time east. I staid last night at 
Mr. Haydn's. M — L gave me six nice linen pocket- 
handkerchiefs and a pin cushion. We don't have to buy 
anything here, everything is given us. I have enjoyed 
myself first rate thus far. The ladies of Chelsea gave 
each of the Co. a bundle containing two woollen shirts, 
two towels, two cotton handkerchiefs, needles, thread, but- 
tons, yarn, and a roll of sticking plaster. I think they 
have done well. I expect we shall start for Annapolis, 
Md., next Tuesday, with Col. Cowdin's regiment. There 
will be about 300 of us, a pretty good Co. We are all 
impatient to be off, it is hard work to be round dressed in 
uniform, and the people all staring at us. I will write as 
often as I can. From Allen. 



Letter III. 

• Chelsea, May 1st, 1861. 
Dear Father and Mother : 

We have not gone yet. We had to wait for our new 
uniforms to be made is the reason why we did not go yes- 
terday. My cold is not well. Mr. Haydn sent me a rub- 
ber blanket to lay on the ground ; it was just what I 
wanted. If we go to-morrow I will write you from New 
York. We have to keep in close quarters, but then our 
pay is good so it is not so bad as it might be. The Capt. 
takes quite an interest in me. May get promoted if I 
behave well. Give my love to all. From 

A. A. K. 



24 LETTERS. 

Letter IV. 

Chelsea, Mat 9, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

I write a few lines to let you know that we have not 
gone. There conies an order one day for us to march, and 
the next day it is countermanded. Gen. Scott has issued 
an order not to enlist volunteers except for three years or 
the war. Almost every man in the 1st regiment is ready 
to serve three or five years. 

Yesterday we visited Boston and South Baston ; there 
were seven Co.'s, about 600 men. Our Co. carried a 
banner on which was inscribed, '* Chelsea Volunteers, 
Capt. Carruth, Co. H. Ready to serve in the United 
States army three, five, or three times five years." We 
had a good time ; at South Boston we had a lunch, beer, 
crackers, cheese and fish. Love to all. Good bye. 

A. A. K. 

Letter V. 

Chelsea, Mat 16, 1861. 
Dear Father and Mother : 

We are here yet. Last night the steamer Cambridge 
came in, and all we are now waiting for is to have her get 
ready to go. We shall go by water to Fortress Monroe 
or Annapolis, and from thence to Washington. Every 
day we go to some of the towns in this vicinity ; we went 
to Chelsea Beach to a target shoot, had clam chowder at the 
" Ocean House," This afternoon we have been to Mai- 
den, we stopped to sec an old soldier of the war of 1812, 
named Pratt. We saw a rail that was made from one of 
the masts of the British man-of-war Lion, which was cap- 



LETTERS. 25 

tured in the Bay, by the Chelsea and Maiden soldiers. 
There is a high hill here called " Powder Horn," from the 
top of which we can see all over Boston, and far down the 
harbor, a very pleasant place. 

Sabbath forenoon attended church; the text was, " They 
who strive for the mastery, shall not be crowned unless they 
strive lawfully." 

Will write again before I go, if I can. Give my love 
to all inquiring friends. A. A. K. 

Letter VI. 

Chelsea, May 23, 1861. 
Dear Father and Mother : 

I received your letter this morning. There are 101 
men in our Co. Ours is the crack Co. in the regiment, 
and the section that I am in is the pony section, for we 
are all of a size. There is one man in the Co. who is six 
feet and six inches in his stockings. We call him the 
giant! Friday, May 24. Yesterday afternoon we were 
all sworn into the United States service for three years, so 
I am one of Uncle Sam's men now, and there is no chance 
to get away if we wanted to. We were marched down to 
the Square, and ranged in double ranks around the flag- 
staff. As our names were called we stepped two paces in 
front, carried arms, and then ordered arms, then each man 
took off his hat and held up his right hand, while the 
United States officer read the oath to us. We shall not 
probably stay here long as we are now mustered into ser- 
vice. The Capt. says we shall be put into the thickest of 
the fight ; I hope so. Good bye. Love to all. 

A. A. K. 



26 LETTERS. 

Letter YII. 

Camp Ellsworth, June 5, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

Having a few spare moments I will write to you and 
let you know that I am yet alive and well. I have just 
come off guard, having been on since 10 o'clock yesterday, 
two hours on and four off, so to-day I can rest. I was on 
guard last night from 10 till 2. Some of the officers came 
round dressed so that we should not know them, to try us. 
We put our 1st Lieutenant into the guard house. He 
was trying us, and tried to run guard. It is an awful 
place here, fresh pond on one side and a bog hole on the 
other, and is damp and foggy all night. If we stay here 
a week longer we shall all be sick with the cholera, for aught 
I know. There are quite a number now sick with the 
fever and ague. I had a slight attack of it the other 
night ; I took some Cholera Preventative, and it cured 
me. We did not have half enough to eat the two or three 
first dsLjs, nothing but bread and meat, and a pint of 
coffee morning and night. Some of the meat smelt so bad 
that we could not eat it. One of the Co.'s buried theirs 
under arms ! — they had a great time. Since then we have 
had better food. This morning we had boiled eo-o-s, with 
bread and coffee for breakfast. I don't know when we 
shall leave for the South ; I think they act rather droll 
about this regiment. The papers last night stated that 
we had been ordered forthwith to Washington by rail, but 
I don't believe anything these days. 

Give my love to all. Good bye.' A. A. K. 



LETTERS. 27 

Letter VIII. 

Washixgton, D. C, June 18, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

Here we are in the great city of Wasliington. We 
arrived here last evening about half past six. Had a 
pleasant time coming, came through Baltimore about noon ; 
the streets were full of people, but all were still and quiet, 
you would not have known there was anybody there if you 
had not seen them. Our guns were loaded and capped. 
If they had made any demonstration we should have fired 
upon them. 

When we left Boston we went by railroad to Groton, 
Ct., where we went on board the steamer Commonwealth. 
Started at daylight and passed down Long Island Sound. 
It was a pleasant day, I enjoyed it very much. We ar- 
rived at Jersey City at 2, P. M. We had refreshments, 
bread, meat and coffee ; at 5, started for Philadelphia, 
where we arrived at 6 in the morning, June 17 ; we then 
had some refreshments furnished by the Germans. As we 
were marching through the streets I had one of the most 
splendid bunches of flowers that I ever saw presented to 
me by a young lady. It was a most splendid thing, I 
wished I could send it home ; there were roses, honey- 
suckles, and many other kinds I did not know. After 
we left Pliiladelphia for Baltimore I was put on guard on 
the platform at the car door, so I had a good chance to see 
the country as we passed along. We went through some 
very pleasant places along the Delaware river ; tliere is a 
great deal of grain growing all through this part of the 
country, wheat, rye and corn. The corn looks backward, 
but the other cjrain looks well. 



! 

28 LETTERS. 

i 

There arc any quantity of darkies here in this city ; 
there arc four in the room where I am now, they are sell- 
ing cakes, pies, milk, oranges and lemons. There are not 
as many people about the streets here as there are in Bos- 
ton. The streets are a great deal wider than they are 
in Boston. I have not been about the city much yet, 
when I have, and have an opportunity, I will write you 
and give a description of the city, and of the places 
through which we passed as we came here. I could see 
the Federal camp from the ear window as we passed on the 
railroad through Maryland. There are guards stationed 
along the line — they have their camps about one or two 
miles apart. They seemed to enjoy themselves ; they 
cheered us heartily as we passed along. I am in tip-top 
health, but have not slept much since last Friday night. 
Love to all. Allen A. Kingsbury. 

Letter IX. 

Camp Banks, Georgetown Heights, June 24, 1861. 
Bear Parents : 

Having a few leisure * moments I will write you to let 
you know that I am alive and in good health and spirits, 
and am cooking the best I know how. We had beefsteak 
for supper to-night, and rice for dinner ; the rice was 
boiled first rate. I made some sugar sauce to put on it. 
We are not allowed molasses, we have sugar but twice a 
day, but I got some to-day by flattering the Commissary, 
so the boys fare well, but some days we don't have half 
enough, and that not fit to eat. The meat is salt and dry, 
the bread is dry as chips, but we have coflfee, three pounds 
at noon, and three at night, and twelve pounds of sugar 



LETTERS. 29 

per day. I have got seventy-five pounds of salt beef, and 
twenty-five pounds of salt pork for to-morrow. To-day we 
had ten pounds rice, and one hundred and twenty-five 
pounds fresh beef. I have my hands full, overseoring the 
cookery and getthig the provisions. I have to keep a. 
strict account of every thing I get, from soap to candles, 
inclusive. For the sIojjs I get my own washing done, and 
also that of some of the rest of the boys. I endeavor to- 
look out for the best interest of the Co. ; I find I have the 
good will of the Captain and all the men, for I try to 
serve them all alike. Col. Cowdin came along the other 
noon as I was serving out the dinner, and went off and 
told that Co. H. had a young fellow that served out the 
provisions in style ; he said it was the best conducted cook 
house in the camp. So you see I don't lose anything by: 
being accommodatino;. 

We have not seen any fighting yet, but we may soon^ 
for we are told that the rebels are marching towards us.- 
We have 15,000 troops around us and at Washington. 

I went into the woods in front of our camp to-day and 
dug some blood-root ; there is any quantity of that and 
other medicinal roots and herbs here, and lots of flowers- 
Ihave not been on parade since I have been here, but they 
keep me cooking ; well, I guess I can do it. We raised a 
flag this afternoon, and I climbed to the top of the pole 
and fastened the rope ; so I fastened the first jiag rope of 
the 1st regiment in the South ! 

Yesterday we had religious services by the Chaplain,, 
the band plaj^ed and the men sung. There is one of the 
largest reservoirs here that there are in the country. It 
covers between sixty and seventy-five acres of land, forty- 



30 LETTERS. 

eight acres are water. It is built for the city of Washing- 
ton ; has been in process of building almost two years. 

June 25. I have just received your letter ; you ought 
to see the rush there is here when the mail comes in. If 
the people at home knew how much we thought of a letter 
they would write oftener. I send you some flowers that 
I gathered ; the honeysuckles grow wild, there are two 
kinds, the other is a thistle. Did you get those leaves and 
flowers I sent you before ? they came from the President s 
garden. There are lots of grapes here all along the Poto- 
mac. We have not had Vi potato since we have been here. 
As for the news, you get that sooner than we do. There 
is more about the times, the war, &c., in the " Boston 
Journal " than there is in a dozen of the W^ashington 
papers. I took some of Dr. JoJmson^s medicine * and it 
cured me ; it is first rate, I had the cholic. 

June 30. I am as well as ever to-day. The head cook 
got mad this morning and would not cook any more, so I 
am chief cook now. Last night we had one hundred and 
twenty-five pounds fresh beef sent to us, and to-day I roasted 
six pans full of it in our brick oven. It was done nice, so 
we had a tip-top dinner. The rest of the meat we boiled, 
and shall have it cold for supper. To-morrow we are to 
hsiXQjlour and make our own bread ; I shall then have to 
set my wits to work. I wish I had some of the California 
yeast. But no more now. My love to all, write soon. 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 



* A notice of this medicine will be found at the close of this 
book. It is prepared by the Editor. 



\m\ 



LETTERS. 31 



Letter X. 



Camp Banks, Georgetown, D. C, July 4, 1861. 

Dear Parents : 

I received your letter tins morning. Glad to bear tliat 
you are all well, I am now, tliougli I have been quite un- 
well witb tbe dysentery, wbicb is tbe prevailing disease 
here. It is very warm bere to-day. Tbis morning tbe 
band commenced playing as soon as it was ligbt — played 
an bour, tben went out to drill — tben came breakfast of 
rice, soft tack and coffee. After tbat went to target sboot- 
ino- two bours, tben returned to camp and laid around till 
dinner time; we bad roast beef and pulverized j^otatoes. 
Tbe potatoes are ground and dried, we tben boil tbera in 
water, but it does not taste mucb like potatoes. Had 
lemonade, wbicb was furnisbed by some of tbe officers. 
To-day is tbe Fourtb of July ! but I don't realize it, 
tbougb I bear tbe guns all around us. We expected a 
fio-bt to-day over in Virginia, I was in bopes it would come 
off. We bave orders every nigbt to bave our guns and 
knapsacks wbere we can put our bands on tbem at any 
moment. To-day I suppose tbe figbt commences in Cou- 
o-ress. Gov. Andrew, Henry Wilson, and several otbers 
are bere to-day, and are to make some speeches. Monday, 
July 1st, we bad quite a time, there bad been a shower 
iratherino- all tbe afternoon in tbe west and north, and just 
as the men were coming for supper (they come in messes, 
each mess has a certain number of men,) it began to rain, 
and it did rain, for I never saw it rain so in my life, it 
came down in buckets full. There is a little brook which 
comes from the reservoir and runs past our tent and cook 
shop, and in a few moments after it commenced raining it 



S2 LETTERS. 

■was quite a river ; you may well suppose that we were 
flooded. Our cook shop is made of four upright posts, 
"with boards nailed round top and bottom to hold them up, 
and covered with bushes and leaves, so it would not keep 
very dry in a hard rain. I left for a tent. I had baked 
some beans, and I left a pan of them on a board in the 
shop. In a few moments I looked out of the tent and saw 
the beans sailing down stream toward the Potomac, (they 
were secession heans and were trying to escape, but the 
guard stopped them) ! Pots, pans, dishes, barrels, &:c., 
were all washed awa3^ I left fourteen pounds of sugar 
in a pan, and it all melted, so I had a pail full of syrup, 
all I had for our coffee next day. It thundered, lightened 
and blew tremendously. It was a real Southern thunder 
shower. The water was knee deep in our tent on one 
side, so none of the men slept there that night. Some of 
them slept in the other tents, and some in the Irish hams 
just outside the lines. I made up a roaring fire by the 
side of the oven, laid down a board, put some sticks of 
wood on each side, and a box for my pillow, rolled my 
blanket around me, laid with my feet to the fire, and al- 
though I was wet through, I was soon asleep. I went into 
it himter style. Towards morning I awoke, and the first 
thing I saw was the great Comet ! Oh ! how splendid it 
did look. The tail reached clear across the sky, I went 
to sleep again, but awoke at 4, the time I get up every 
morning. 

We built a brick oven, the best one on the ground — it 
will hold six pans. Going to have baked boans to-morrow. 
There is a great deal of grumbling among the men, but 
they must come to it ; I do not complain, I find we do 
better to keep quiet. To-night the guard is doubled, we 



LETTERS. 3S 

Lave heard heavy firing towards Fairfax CoTirt House, 
which is only seven miles from here. Col. Cowdin has 
just received sealed orders. I do not know what they are. 
But I must bid you good-bye. . 

Yours, affectionately, 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 

Letter XI. 

Camp Banks, July .5, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

Among other things you will find in the box, is my 
hai^d bread ration for one meal ; we shall use our teeth all 
up if we have to eat much of this stuff. As our letters 
are all opened at Washington before they go, I cannot 
write how we fare ; if I should tell cdl the truth about it 
the letter ivoidd not he sent ! But as this will come by 
express, and will not be opened, I can tell you that we 
fare hard enough, and no mistake ! Some days we live 
first rate, and the next we don't have half enough. Up 
at the hospital if a man has some tea he must fay for it 
out of his own pocket. But these things won't last for- 
ever. Gov. Andrew was here yesterday, and I guess he- 
saw some things that were not just right about the food. 
But I must close. I shall probably come home some tim& 
if I don't get shot. My love to all. Good-bye. 

Allen^ 

Letter XII. 

Camp Banks, July 8, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

I received your letter Saturday night ; glad to hear that 
you are all well. I am in tip-top health now, and black 
3 



34 LETTERS. 

as a nigger. Yesterday I went with the teams for flour to 
Washington. I have dark blue pants, (our new uniform) 
blue shirt, red scull cap with a long blue tassel, and ray 
revolver in my belt. The people and soldiers flocked 
around me, they thought I was one of the " Ellsworth 
Zouaves." I did not enlighten them, I looked rather 
cross and savage. The people stared at me ; is was some- 
what funny. 

I send you a piece of the Jlag-staff that EUsivorth cut 
down at the Marshal House in Alexandria, also a piece of 
the stair he stood on when Jackson shot him. Our Lieu- 
tenant went to Alexandria and got them ; he made the 
guard turn his back while he chipped oflf a piece with his 
dirk knife. I begged a piece of him and send it to you ; 
be careful of it, show it to the people as a trophy of war. 
I worked hard to get it. 

Saturday they had a fight at Fairfax Court House ; 
laro;e number killed on both sides, such is the rumor. 
Two of our Co.'s started this morning at 6 ; went towards 
Harper's Ferry. Last night there was a fight about 15 
miles from us. Ten dead bodies were brought down this 
morning in the canal boat. 

Latest news. Our two Co.'s that went out this morn- 
ing have been fired into by the rebel picket guard. One 
Capt. wounded, one private killed. The camp is all con- 
fusion. The fight has commenced ; I can't write any 
more now. Good-bye. 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 



♦ LETTERS. 35 

Letter XIII. 

Camp Banks, July 10, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

In my last letter I said that our Co.'s tliat went out on 
Monday had been fired into by the rebels, and one wound- 
ed and one killed, but it is not so. The rebels did indeed 
fire into them, but did not hit any one. Co. A. of Kox- 
bury, killed two rebels last night, and one this morning. 
There were but two dead bodies brought down the canal, 
instead of ten. 

We had another dreadful shower last night, it thun- 
dered, lightened and rained tremendously for an hour. 
Things in camp all afloat again. I have left off cooking 
for a few days, it was very hard work. I went on guard 
last night for the first time since we left Mass. ; was out 
nearly all night. 

One man in Co. C. died this morning at 2 o'clock, of 
dysentery and congestion of the lungs. The surgeon did 
not know what ailed him till after he was dead. A pretty 
man for a surgeon in an army. 

I went out blackberry ing this forenoon. Got a lot of 
them, some of them are an inch and a half long, the high 
ones. There were apples, gooseberries and currants in 
front of a large brick house. The owner was a secession- 
ist, and has left. The rose I send you I picked from the 
garden there. Good-bye. Allen. 

Letter XIV. 

Camp Banks, July 14, 1861. 
Dear Parents : ■ 

I received your letter this morning, for I went to bed last 

night before the mail arrived. I had been on guard the 



36 LETTERS. , 

night before. I -will now give you a description of the 
guard duty which we perform. The " guard mounting " 
comes off at 9 o'clock in the morning. From sixteen to 
twenty men are taken from each Co. ; after breakfast w^e 
put on our equipments, belts, cartridge-box containing 
forty rounds of ball cartridges, cap-box, containg one hun- 
dred percussion caps, and our canteens, which hold more 
than a quart of water ; they are made of britannia. We 
then get all the men who are on guard in our Co. into 
line in front of our tents, and as soon as the band com- 
mences playing we start for the line in " double quick 
time " to see which Co. will get in i^hcejirst. When we 
get into line we open our ranks and our guns are mspected 
by the Lieutenant of the guard. Those whose guns are 
right remain, those whose are not, are sent back to the 
tents for better ones. After our arms are inspected, we 
march in rows before the officers of the day, tjje Adjutant 
and Col. We are then marched to the guard tent and 
divided into relieves. The quarter guard is taken off first. 
They are stationed in front of the staff officers' tents, hos- 
pital and commissary's tents. They are called the quai'ter 
guard, the rest are called the main guard. These last 
named are divided into relieves; first, second and third 
relieves. The first relief goes on guard immediately after 
we are divided. They are on two hours, and are then re- 
lieved by the second relief, who stand two hours and are 
relieved by the third relief. So each is on two hours, off 
four. Each man has a beat of about five or six rods, in 
the night the distance is somewhat shorter. After 8 
o'clock in the evening we begin to " challenge." If any 
one comes within a rod of us on the outside of the lines 
before 10 o'clock we halt him, that is if he is trying to 



LETTERS. 37 

get in or out. After the " tatoo " is beaten on tlic drum 
we challenge any one who comes near us. Thus, " Halt ! 
who goes there?" If he says ''friend,''^ we say, " ad- 
vance friend and give the countersign." If he can give 
it right we let him pass, but if not we call for the Corporal 
of the guard. The posts are all numbered, so if it is No. 
12, we call out, " Corporal of the guard, post No. 12." 
If the man we halted starts to run after we have called 
for the Corporal, we fire at him, and if he docs not stop 
the first time we halt him, we call three times, and then if 
he does not stop we shoot him if we can. We have our 
guns loaded all the time, night and day. The night I was 
on guard, about 2 o'clock in the morning some one threw 
a stone at one of the guard and hit him in the leg. He 
saw the man run over a hill, he fired at him but did not 
him. The third relief was just turning out ; I was among 
them; we went " double quick time " a considerable dis- 
tance, but did not find any one. 

At 5 o'clock this morning our Co. and Co. G. went out 
to skirmish drill, under Lieut. Col. Wells ; we went about 
a mile from camp and drilled till nearly 8 o'clock, when 
we came back " double quick time," over brooks, fences, 
&c. It gave us a good appetite for breakfast of coffee, 
hard bread and beefsteak, a good breakfast enough if there 
had been enough of it. We have a meeting at 1 o'clock 
this afternoon. To-day has seemed more like Sunday 
than any day yet. We have evening meetings, and they 
are very good ones. The text to-day was the 2d verse of 
the 9th chapter of 1st Cor., " Know ye not that they 
which run a race, run all, but one receiveth the prize. So 
run that ye may obtain." 



38 LETTERS. 

The way I sleep now is on three pitch pine sticks, turned 

bark down ; it makes a very good bed, only not as soft as 

white pine would be. Give my love to all the friends 

and neighbors. 

From your Son, 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 

Letter XV. 
Battle of Bull Run. 

Arlington Heights, July 25, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

Yesterday we moved from- Camp Banks across the river 
to this place, which is just below Washington, and be- 
tween Forts Corcoran and Albany. To-morrow our regi- 
ment will go to Fort Albany, which is about a mile from 
here. It is one of the outposts, and a very pleasant place ; 
it commands the long bridge, the road from Fairfax to 
Washington, and the Potomac. It is in fact the post of 
honor ! 

I will now give you a description of our march to the 
field of battle, and of the battle itself. Tuesday, July 
16, orders came to pack our knapsacks, and prepare to 
march. We rolled our rubber and flannel blankets up to- 
gether and slung them across our shoulders in light march- 
ing order, filled our canteens with water and our haver- 
sacks with hard bread and salt pork for three days' rations. 
I put some coflfee and sugar into my pocket for m}' own 
use, and it came very convenient, as we shall see. We 
left our knapsacks in the care of the sick and those who 
were not able to march. AVe started from camp about 4, 
P. M. ; went past the Michigan regiment's camp ; they 
went with us. There were four regiments, the Mass. 1st, 



LETTERS. 39 

the Michigan 2d and 3d, and the N. Y. 12th. We were 
under command of Col. Richardson and Gen. Tyler. The 
first place of interest which we past was the chain bridge 
across the Potomac. It is quite long ; on the hill above 
it are several cannon, in the centre of the bridge is a draw 
and a gate covered with wrought iron, with port holes 
through which to fire the cannon. The bridge is also fixed 
so that when a crowd of rebels get upon it, it can be pulled 
and precipitate them into the river, which is about thirty 
feet from the bridge, and is very rocky. As soon as we 
filed off the bridge our band struck up " Yankee Doodle.'* 
As we stepped upon the "sacred soil of Virginia" we 
marched at quick time, and there was some cheering I can 
tell you ; but we little knew what we were to pass through. 
We marched on, however, over some of the worst roads I 
ever saw, worse, if possible, than the road to the top of Noon 
Hill. The roads are full of stones and gullies. Virginia 
is indeed a desolate country ; most of the buildings are 
built of logs, the logs are hewed on the sides and placed 
above the other, and the cracks are filled in with mortar 
or mud ; the chimnies are built on the outside, they are 
composed of large stones. Again I say it is a rough look- 
ing country ; but I never saw blackberries so thick before- 
Would frequently " fall out of ranks," hop over the fence 
(Virginia fence) and pick our tin pots full in a very few 
moments, and then such large ones, it was perfect fun to 
pick them, and not at all unpleasant to eat them. We 
marched till 10, P. M., when we halted for the night. 
We camped on a low, marshy piece of ground in a place 
called Vienna, where the rebels fired upon the Ohio vol- 
unteers. We got to sleep about 11, P. M., we were so 
tired we did not eat any supper. We arose at sunrise 



40 LETTERS. 

next morning, prepared our breakfiist of hard bread, salt 
pork, and cold water, but I had a cup of coffee, owing to 
the foresight of putting some in my pocket. We got under 
"way as soon as possible. Saw the cars which contained 
the above soldiers when they were attacked by the rebels, 
the cars were riddled with bullet holes. The boys in my 
tent went out ''grubbing'''' and brought in 'peaches and 
potatoes, so we had peach sauce, soft bread and new pota- 
toes ; quite a treat for us half starved men ! We then 
proceeded on our march ; were very much troubled for the 
want of water. I never suffered so much from thirst before. 
When we came to a brook or spring the soldiers would 
break their ranks and run for the water, but it was mostly 
so muddy and rily that it was hardly fit to drink, but yet 
it was loater! Our regiment headed the column. As we 
came upon the top of a hill it was a splendid sight to look 
as far as we could and see the road filled with soldiers, 
horses and wagons. We went through places where the 
rebels had had their camps and where they had felled the 
trees across the road to prevent us from passing, but they 
were soon cut away by our pioneers, who went ahead 
armed with guns and axes. We stopped that afternoon 
at 3 o'clock, in a fine place where we staid all night ; 
there were 60,000 or 70,000 troops around us. We 
marched about ten miles that day (Wednesday), and then 
I had to go on picket guard all night ; had about one hour's 
sleep ; very good after marching all day. 

We were placed in a piece of wood with orders to fire 
upon any one who should not halt and tell who he was. 
We did not see any one, but could hear people walking 
about in the woods. We got into camp about sunrise 
Thursday morning, found the boys all alive and stirring 



LETTERS. 41 

about getting breakfast and preparing to march. I made 
some nice coffee, which went first rate. At 8, A. M., we 
started ; as we went along saw places where the rebels had 
had their camp ; near noon we came to places where their 
camp fires were burning. In some places they had cooked 
dinner, but in their hurry to leave they had thrown it 
away. In one place a wagon loaded with flour was stuck 
fast in the mud ; they had unloaded it, stove in the heads 
of the barrels and left the flour in the road. We were 
hurried forward as fast as we could go. Between 1 
and 2, P. M., we stopped to reconnoitre and to send 
scouts ahead. In about half an hour they returned and 
reported rebels ahead! We were up in a hurry, and two 
Co.'s of infantry and one of cavalry were sent forward. 
When we ascended a hill we could see men in a field about 
a mile distant — we could see the glittering of their bayo- 
nets. The General sent back for three pieces of artillery ; 
when they were ready we opened fire upon them ; you 
ought to have seen how they scattered and run into the 
woods. We fired some three or four rounds among them, 
when very suddenly a battery opened upon our left about 
a mile from us. We were then ordered about, and taking 
a circle came out at the left of our battery. We were 
then ordered into a field near some woods. Two Co.'s, 
G. and H., with our pioneers who had been ahead, com- 
menced firino;. Our Co. and Co. G. were then ordered 
into the woods ; we did not know what was there, but we 
soon found out. We had got perhaps three rods into the 
woods when a murderous fire was opened upon us by the 
rebels from a masked battery ; several of our men were 
killed and wounded. Three of my comrades fell dead at 
my side. Our Capt. then ordered us ahead, and on we 



42 LETTERS. 

went. I saw a l)atteiy on a small hill. I saw an officer 
on the embankment beside a cannon ; I brought my rifle 
to my shoulder and fired at him. He threw up his arms 
and fell headlong down the bank. A perfect volley of 
rifle shot then rained around me ; one bullet struck me on 
the breast, went through my blanket and hit the eagle on 
my cross belt, and knocked me down. Another ball cut oflf 
my cap box. Our Capt. then ordered a retreat, and we 
started for the open ground. The balls fell like hailstones 
around us, but I did not mind them ; was as cool as ice. 
When I had got out of the woods and was walking along, 
a cannon ball struck the ground about a rod behind me, 
and rebounding, hit me in the joint of the knee, upon the 
under side, and knocked me down. I did not know where 
I was for several minutes. When I got up I could not 
stand. Two of the N. Y. 69th took me up and carried 
me to the wagons. I did not think I was hurt much, but 
I found I could not walk, so I was carried to the hospital 
at Centreville, where I staid till Sunday, when I went out 
to join my Co., but they would not let me, so I remained 
with the wagons. At 5, P. M., an order came for the 
wagons to retreat back towards Fairfax. I got on board 
one of the wagons, rode all night, and next morning found 
myself in Washington. I am quite lame now, so that I 
don't go round much. I do not know what they will do 
with me. I shall try to get home if I can. No more this 
time. Don'' t worry about me I Love to all. 

Allen. 



JOURNAL. 



Medfield, Sept. 11, 1861. 
Left home at 2 o'clock this afternoon for the depot on 
the Charles River railroad, to take the cars for Boston, en 
route for the seat of war. Father and Uncle Davis ac- 
companied me to the depot. I reached Boston at 6, P. 
M. ; staid over night at Mr. A. M. Bobbins'. 

Sept. 12. At Boxbury. Fair and bright, but rather 
cool. Went to Chelsea to see Sergeant Gerrish ; saw sev- 
eral others who had enlisted, and were soino: with us. At 
half hast 5, P. M., started for Providence via Boston and 
Providence railroad. There were twenty-four of us under 
the care of Sergeant Gerrish ; Grover, Huse and myself 
being the " old sogers." Stopped but once, at Mansfield, 
between Boston and Providence. As we passed over the 
Canton Viaduct I could see Old Noon Hill [a high hill 
in Medfield, a short distance from his father's residence — 
Ed.] in the distance ; IlejU my eyes upon it as long as it 
remained in view, and I thong Jd of the home and friends 
I had left heJiind. How long will it he before I look upon 
its pleasant top again ? And tvill the star-spangled ban- 
ner wave over it then, or the pirate flag of traitors ? Jf 



44 JOURNAL. 

not my coujitry'^s banner, then let me never see it again. 
[A more toucliing and sublime expression of devoted 
patriotism is hardly to be found in our language — Ed.] 
At 9, P. M., we left Providence for Groton ; stopped at 
Kingston, Ct. At Stonington we took the boat Plymouth 
Hock at 10 o'clock, P. M., for New York. After stowing 
away our things as best we could, I went to look for my 
rations. In the cabin found a table covered with good 
things, so down I sat and began to eat ; hunger makes a 
man cheeky, I was somewhat so. A man came along for 
tickets ; charged half a dollar for the supper. Paid him. 
Guess I ate half a dollar's worth ! Laid down on the floor 
of the lower deck, by the side of a big box, my head on 
my knapsack, and went to sleep. Awakened by loud talk 
between the Captain and an officer from New York ; came 
near havino; a fidit, but did not. 

Sept. 13. Arrived at New York at sunrise this morn- 
ing. As the quarter-master was absent, our guide gave 
us fifteen minutes to procure breakfast ; after traversing half 
a dozen streets we came to an eating house, got something 
to eat, returned, but found we were too late for the cars for 
Philadelphia ; roamed about the city, visited Barnum's 
Museum, spent two hours pleasantly looking at the sights. 
Left New York at 6, P. M. 

Sept. 14. Arrived at Baltimore at 4 this morning. 
The boys were furnished with refreshments by the Union 
Relief Society of Baltimore. At half past 8, A. M., 
started for Washington, where we arrived at 11, A.. M. 
In camp, took up my abode in Tent No. 1 ; pleasant place. 

Sept. 15. In Camp Union, Dladensburg, Md. Pleas- 
ant. Seems like getting among old friends to be in camp 
again. 



JOURNAL. 45 

Sept. 16. Yery pleasant to-day. Last night we were 
called out to strike the tents and send them to the Co. who 
had gone to Frederick, Md. We went to the camp of the 
11th regiment. 

Sept, 17. Bright and fine. Our tents came back, the 
Col. would not have them, so this morning we went to 
work and pitched the tents, and are now in them. 

Sept. 18. Fair and hot. Live easy now the regiment 
is gone ; rained like sixty to-night. 

Sept. 19. Fair and hot. The Lieut, set eight of us to 
work cleaning old guns. I cleaned two and left. 

Sept. 20. Visited the new fort. It is very long ; a 
great many workmen at work upon it. 

Sept. 21. Cloudy. Received the first letter to-day 
that I have had since I left home ; glad to hear from the 
people. 

Sept. 22. Cold and cloudy. Laid cold all night ; saw 
a large fire at the Southeast, in the direction of Ealti- 
more. The Lieut, said the Gen. would inspect us to-day, 
but he did not come, so the Lieut, did it alone. 

Dec. 25. Christmas day. Well, here we are in Camp 
Hooker. A fine day for so late in the season. 

** The path of glory leads but to the grave." 

Jan. 1, 1862. Camp Hooker, Budd's Ferry, Md. 
Here we are yet in the union army, and here likely to bo 
for a season. It is as pleasant as it is in April. Our Co. 
have not finished their house, yet we have a good roof to 
sleep under. I wonder where we shall be next year at 
this time. Who knows 1 

Jan. 2. Fair and cold. The wind blew severel)' last 
night ; we have very high winds here. Our house is most 



46 JOURNAL. 

done, I have been plastering up the cracks. At 10, A. 
M., we heard firing on the river, went up the hill, saw 
the steam gunboat Anicostia shelling the battery on 
Cockpit Point. Some of the shells burst right in the rebel 
camp. 

Jan. 6. Cold and cloudy. Tremendous cold washing 
in the brook. The rebels on Cockpit Point fired two shots 
at the old fish on Stump Neck. 

Jan. 7. Cold. On guard. At night I went with 
Billy Davis down to the boat house to get some oysters 
from a sloop that lay in the river. Went on the ice to 
the sloop, when almost there the ice broke and down I went 
so that my feet touched bottom. I caught hold of the 
side of the vessel and climbed upon deck ; was some wet, 
but I got the oysters. 

Jan. 8. Cold but pleasant. Went on guard at 5 
o'clock this morning. Between 5 and 6 heard heavy fir- 
ing down the river towards Aquia Creek ; heard a rohin 
singing at sunrise this morning. 

Jan. 9. Warm and pleasant to-day, the ice and snow 
have melted, and it is very muddy. 

Jan. 10. Baining and foggy. Mud knee deep on the 
parade and camp ground ; been at work in the cook shop. 

Jan. 11. Warm and pleasant, but very muddy. Been 
cutting pine logs for the cook house. Salt junk and po- 
tatoes for dinner. Made a stool from a pine tree, quite a 
fancy seat. 

Jan. 12. Warm and pleasant. A high south wind. 
The Pensacola went down the river to-day, the rebels 
fired at her ; she had a lot of hay on the rebel side to pre- 
vent their shots from injuring her. 



JOURNAL. 47 

Jan. 13. Cold and fair. This is my birthday, I am 
22 years old. How time flies ; it does not seem as though 
I was 22. Only a few years ago I was a boy and going 
to school, now I am a " soger " in Uncle Sara's army. 
How long I shall be here I do not know. Where was I last 
year at this time ? Having a good time at home with 
those I love, but alas ! where am I now ? 

Jan. 14. Cold and snowing. Must go on guard to- 
day in this storm. Well, so goes the world. 

Jan. 20. Foggy and raining. Awful muddy. ''John- 
ny " has been firing at a schooner that ran down as far as 
Stump Neck. Quite a thunder storm to-day. 

Jan. 22. Raining. On guard to-day; stationed at 
the guard house to guard the prisoners. 

Jan. 24. Cold, cloudy, and wind northeast. Snowed 
in the morning, rained in the afternoon, and hailed in the 
evening. 

Jan. 25. Fair and pleasant. First fair day we have 
had for twenty days past. Some grumbling in the camp 
yet. 

Jan. 26. Fair and pleasant. Rebels fired a few times 
at a schooner which came down the river. 

Jan. 28. Rainy in the morning, fair in the after- 
noon. Been sick and dizzy all day. " Johnny Rebel " 
has been firing at one thing and another to-da3\ Our reg- 
iment have got to build a road to the landing. That don't 
look much like leaving this place. 

Jan. 31. Cloudy and stormy. A sad accident oc- 
curred to-day ; one of the men in Co. I was practicing 
bayonet drill, and not knowing that his gun was loaded, 



48 JOURNAL. 

he snapped it, wLen it exploded and struck a man named 
Barlow, killing lilm instantly. 

Feb. 1. Another month has commenced. Eain and 
snow. No prospect of an immediate movement, don't 
think there will be before spring. 

Feb. 3. Snowing like sixty. I joined the " Fay Lit- 
erary Institute to-day." They have quite a library of 
books. 

Feb. 5. Fair. On picket guard at tlie boat house. 
Went on guard at half past 3, off at half past six, on again 
at 12, and staid till 6, A. M. Countersign is Moscow. 

Feb. 6. Rainy. Came off guard at 6, did not get 
up to breakfast till half past 9 ; was hungry and sleepy. 

Feb. 7. Cloudy. To-day heard of the capture of Fort 
Henry on the East Tennessee, 55 miles from Columbus. 
Hurra ! This cuts off the communication with the rebel 
army on the Potomac. 

Feb. 9. Very pleasant. I would like to be at home 
or in Koxbury this morning, but that can't be. 

Feb. 12. A splendid day. Dr. Bell, the Division 
Surgeon, died last night. The rebels have been firing 
pretty smart ; no damage done. The news of the fight 
on Roanoke Island was received to-night. 

Feb. 13. Another splendid day. As warm as it is at 
home in April or May. The band have been playing at 
the Temperance meeting this evening ; they are now play- 
ing at Col. Cowdin's head-quarters. 

Feb. 14. Cloudy. Went to the Chapel Tent to prac- 
tice on the bugle. Had flat jacks for supper. 

Feb. 17. Cloudy and rainy. Glorious news to-night. 



JOURNAL. 49 

The capture of Fort Donelson witli 15,000 troops, and 
three rebel Generals. The band came out and played all 
the national airs. The camp is all excitement. 

Feb. 19. Rainy. Last night the band serenaded Col. 
Wells. He made a speech ; said we had the most danger- 
ous position of any Division on the Potomac ; that we 
might expect to see some hard fighting in a few weeks, and 
perhaps in a few days. Col. Cowdin came back to-day and 
took command of the regiment. 

Feb. 20. Fair. Bets are plenty that we shall be in 
Boston by the 4th of July, but I "don't see it." We 
may be at home in a year from this time, I don't think we 
shall before. 

Feb. 21. Fair. General inspection and review by 
Brig-Gen. Neagles. Two of Whitworth's patent breech 
loading guns for this Division came down from Washing- 
ton to-day. They are nine feet long, and will throw a 34 
pound ball seven miles. The rebels are leaving the other 
side of the river. 

Feb. 22. Rainy. Heard the roaring of cannon at 
Washington, celebrating the birthday of the " Father of 
his Country." The gunboats and batter}'^ have been firing 
considerable to-day, but can get no response from "Johnny." 

Feb. 23. Raining. A barrel of apples was distributed 
amongst our Co. to-day. five apples to each man. It was 
presented to us by the Messrs. Hall of Chelsea, who were 
here a few days ago. ■^ 

Feb. 24. Fair and windy. I have been over in the 
woods practicing the calls. Came up a shower ; I crawled 
under a bush, did not get wet any. Went down to the 
4 



50. JOURNAL. 

cook house and fried some flatjacks from Baltimore and 
Pliiladclphia flour. 

Feb. 26. Fair and pleasant. Had apple dumplings 

for didner. Received a box from , containing 

pies, cakes and gingerbread. 

March 2. Fair in the forenoon, hailed and snowed in 
the afternoon, and fine this evening. " Johnny " has been 
firing at the balloon. 

March 4. Fair and bright. Fifty new recruits for this 
regiment and the 11th came here to-day. At dress parade 
to-night, Col. Cowdin received a splendid sword, epaulettes, 
boots, &;c., a gift from his friends in Boston. They were 
presented by a Mr. Mason, of Boston. 

March 7. Fair and cold, so cold that we did not drill. 
The Whitworth guns were fired this afternoon at the Tim- 
ber Barrack battery. The rebels responded, but could 
not throw their balls any where near us, so it is no use for 
them to try. 

March 11. Beautiful mornino*. The birds were sino;- 
ing gaily at sunrise. I came off guard at 8, A. M. 
Thirty men from each Co. have gone over the river. 



LETTERS. 



Letter XVI. 

Camp Union, Bladensburg, Md., Sept. 14, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

I have just arrived in the land of salt junk and hard 
hread. We left the Providence depot in Boston on Thurs- 
day, at half past 5, P. M. Arrived at Groton, Ct. same 
night at half past 10. Went on board the steamer Ply- 
mouth Rock for New York. Had a pleasant time cross- 
ing the Sound. Arrived at NewYork at 6 next morning ; 
did not sleep much during the night. Went up into the 
city to get breakfast, there were twenty-three of us. One 
of the boys got left behind, and by waiting for him we 
were too late for the cars to Philadelphia, so we had to 
stop in the city till 6, P. M. I went to Barnum's Mu- 
seum and Fulton Market, and saw a few of the wonders 
and sights of Gotham. At 6, P. M., we started for 
Philadelphia ; arrived at 9 in the evening, left immediate- 
ly for Baltimore ; arrived there at 4 next morning, and at 
half past 8 started for Washington. Reached our old 



52 LETTERS. 

camp at 11, A. M. ; learned that our regiment had gone 
to Aquia Creek on a scouting expedition. I am more 
lame than I was, probably it is owing to walking on the 
pavement so much. I found all my things except my 
gun. 

Yours in haste, Allen. 



Letter XYII. 

Camp Union, Bladensbukg, Md., Sept. 22, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

Not having much to do, and not having heard from you, 
I thought I would write again, as you might not have re- 
ceived the one I wrote before. Had a very pleasant time 
getting here, and have not done anything since I have 
been here, as our regiment has gone to St. Fredericks, about 
60 miles distant. They are breaking up the small parties 
of rebel cavalry, hunting up concealed arms and ammuni- 
tion. They have taken quite a number of arms, some of 
them were hid in churches, and some buried in the woods. 
They have taken several prisoners and a great number of 
horses. They search every house they pass. I should 
like to be with them. I enjoy mj^self as it is, all I have 
to do is to read, (if I can get anything to read) eat my 
meals, and go champing sweet potatoes, melons, persim- 
mons, &c. I live high ! Had baked beans for breakfast 
this morning ! wanted some brown bread with them. 

We are camped in sight of the railroad ; can see every 
train that passes. There haye been two and three regi- 
ments pass towards Washington every day since I have been 
here, and one day six past during the day and night. I 



LETTERS. 53 

donH see where tliey all came from, or what they do with 
them all. The rebels come nearer every day, but they 
canH take Washington ; it is entirely surrounded with 
Federal troops, and forts are built on every side. There 
is a fort just below us, and one on the top of the hill, with 
trenches on each side more than a mile long. What an 
immense amount of money it will cost the United States 
for all these fortifications ! We hear heavy cannonadino' 
every day, but it is at the navy-yard, out at the forts, and 
in the city. It is done for a blind to prevent the enemy 
from knowing where we make the attack. When the at- 
tack is commenced, it will not close except with the total 
clearing out of all Secessia. Good-bye for the present. 

Allex a. Kingsbury. 

Letter XVIII. % 

Camp Uxion, Bladexsbukg, Md., Sept. 29, 18C1. 
My Dear Parents : 

My knee is so lame that I can't drill or march with the 
Co. at all. It don't do me any good laying on the ground 
these cold nights. The nights are very cold ; I do wish 
they would send us our winter clothes. We are told 
that the rebels are getting very much dissatlfied, for they 
have to live mostly on potatoes and salt, and we don't 
live much better some of the time. When we have money 
we buy milk and butter ; but milk is ten cents per quart, 
and butter thirty cents per pound. We have been paid 
off. I have sent home a large part of mine. Some of 
the boys lost all their two months' pay gamhling I We 
have a kitten in our tent ; we give it milk night and morn- 
ing when we have it, otherwise she takes camp fare. 

Good-bye. Allen. 



54 LETTERS. 

Letter XIX. 

Camp Union, Bladensburo, Md., Oct. 9, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

Having a few leisure moments I will improve tbem by 
writing to you. Last Thursday I left camp with twenty 
others and a train of twelve wagons loaded with tents and 
provisions, for the regiment at lower Marlborough, some 
forty or fifty miles distant. The first day we marched 
twenty miles to upper Marlborougli, which is considerable 
of a place, containing a court house, two hotels, three 
stores, two bakeries, one dry goods store, and two printing 
ofiices. We arrived there at 8, P. M. ; went to the hotel 
for supper. Paid fifty cents, but I ate my money's worth. 
Had hot biscuit, cold ham, fried liver, and coffee. Slept 
that night on the jnazza of the hotel ; was lame enough in 
the morning. About one o'clock in the morning Lieut. 
Austin arrived from Camp Union, (which we left the 
morning before) with orders for us all to return back to 
camp immediately. They all started back, but five others 
and myself were left on guard ; what we had to guard was 
knapsacks, hard bread, and salt beef; it was stored in the 
hotel yard. I had a fine opportunity to look about the 
town ; there are some very pretty residences here. The 
largest hotel is kept by Medley & Dyer, and is called the 
" Marlborough House." The other hotel is ke^jt by John 
Gardner, and is called the "Farmer's Hotel." On tbe 
road from Camp LTnion, after we left the river, there is 
nothing but tobacco plantations. There are acres and 
acres of it ; some of it was picked and hung up in barns 
to dry, and immense quantities of it still green and grow- 
ing. I send you some of the tobacco plants. There are 



LETTERS. 55 

not many fences along tbe road, but at the end of cacli 
man's plantation is a gate, so in travelling all day we have 
to open nearly a hundred gates. On some of the farms 
the road went right through the cornfields, or tobacco 
patches, with no fence on either side. In the cornfields 
we could not see anything on either side but corn. It is 
very sandy down in " that part of the country," a sort of 
red sand. In some places in the road it is nearly knee 
deep ! Saturday the regiment all came back from lower 
Marlborough, and we all marched back to Camp Union. 
We slept out in the open air last night ; as it was not cold 
we got along very well, though my knee was very lame in 
the morning. Had tea and hard bread for supper, and 
hard bread and tea for breakfast. 

A. A. K. 

Letter XX. 

Budd's Ferry, Md., Oct. 27, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

I thought I would write you as our Commissary goes to 
Washington to-morrow ; I can send the letter by him to 
have it mailed there. We have just had a long, hard 
march of sixty miles ; we started Thursday at 7, A. M., 
marched twelve miles that day ; camped over niglit in 
some heavy timber. Started next morning at 7, marched 
twenty miles that day to Piscataquia, where we camped 
for the night. We built bush tents to sleep under both 
nights. Saturday morning started at 7, marched till 8, 
P. M, ; we halted for dinner of hard bread, only two 
apiece (crackers and meat). Some of the boys had none 
at all. We marched twenty-five miles that day, when we 
arrived in camp. I was so lame and tired that I could 



50 LETTERS. 

not raise my hand to my head without groaning. We 
carried our knapsacks on our backs, which weigh about 
fifty pounds. I did not carry a gun as I am bugler ; I 
march at the head of the regiment. The roads here are 
awful ; some places the mud is nearly knee deep, and in 
it are all rocks. I thought the march to Bull Run a hard 
one, but this was a much harder one. I think you would 
laugh to see us in our bush tent ; two of us are writing, 
one is asleep, and the other smoking in the door way of 
the tent. We have straw to sleep on. A bayonet stuck 
in the ground with a candle in it is our light. 

Give my love to all. Good-bye. Allen. 



Letter XXI. 

Camp Hooker, Md,, Nov. 7, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

I am alive and in good health, except a slight cold. 
My weight is 140 pounds, I am getting fat on hard bread 
and coffee, six hard breads and a pint of coffee night and 
morning. We have our tents now ; can keep warmer 
than in our bush tent. We have a mail three times a 
week. The rebels are very still on the other side of the 
river, opposite our camp. They have not fired any shells 
at us since last Sunday. There are ten of us who play on 
the bugle ; we go out with the regiment in the forenoon, 
and practice together in the afternoon ; we can make noise 
enough. There are great quantities of persimmons here. 
I wish I had sent some of them home. The ripe ones are 
tip-top, but those that are about half ripe will pucker up 
your mouth so that you would not know whether you were 



i' 



LETTERS. 



57 



whistling or singing. There is a great deal of fever 

bush here. Lots of coons and rabbits. 

Love to all. Write often. 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 



Letter XXII. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Nov. 1.5, 1861. 

My Dear Parents : 

I received your letter last night. We have not had a 
mail before for a week ; there were four bags full. We 
came very near having a fight yesterday. The opposite 
side of the river is lined with rebel batteries, and they fire 
upon any boat that passes. The other day an oyster 
schooner went up the river, and the rebels fired thirty shots 
at her, but did not hurt any one. Well, yesterday 
morning as a schooner laden with wood was going up to- 
wards the city, she got past all the forts, when she got 
stuck in the mud, right opposite a point of land on the 
other side, and about half a mile from this side. As soon 
as it was light enough for them to see, the rebels ran a 
battery of s'ix pieces of artillery down upon the point, and 
commenced firing at the schooner. They fired some thirty 
shots, when they launched four boats and started for her. 
As soon as our men saw the boats, the bugle sounded ih^ 
assembly for them to " fall in," when twenty men of Co. 
H started for the shore opposite the schooner. They had 
to go about five miles, two by water, and the rest by land. 
They got there just as one of the rebel boats did. They 
commenced firing upon the rebels, but they got on board 
and tried to set the schooner on fire, but Co. A went down 
in boats and put it out. Our men fired six shots apiece ; 



58 LETTERS. 

they killed tliree of the rebels. Two pieces of artillery 
were sent down to the shore, hut did not get there till after 
the rebel boats had got back to the other shore. As soon 
as the artillery got down to the shore they fired across to 
the other shore, which was hlach with confederate soldierS' 
As soon, however, as the artillery fired on them they left. 
The first shot struck in the water, but the second struck 
right in amongst them, and they began to leave in a 
hurry. 

We can see a regiment drilling every day on a hill op- 
posite us, across the river, and when it is still at night 
we can hear them talk. The other night our pickets and 
theirs talked together all night. They told us to bring 
over our horses and get some hay ! They took one of our 
vessels loaded with hay a short time before we came here. 
But I must close now. Love to all. 

Allen. 

Letter XXIII. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Nov. 22, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

Mayor Fay came here Wednesday with four other men 
from Chelsea, and brought us a Thanksgiving dinner. 
There were three hundred pounds cooked turkey, two 
hundred plum puddings, cakes, cheese, oysters, apples, 
cranberry sauce, nuts, rasins, and everything for a tip-top 
dinner. We had the dinner in an Old Secesh's barn, a 
little way from camp. It was owned by Mr. Perry. We 
had enough to eat, and some to spare ; we enjoyed our- 
selves first rate, but not quite as well as we should at 
home 1 The Mayor brought out blankets, stockings and 
drawers. I got me a new thick blanket, my old one was 



LETTERS. 59 

ratlier tliln, for It is very cold here now, but I shall be 
quite comfortable in our log house with two blankets. 

We had fine times here yesterday, chasing a greased 
pig. There were four or five of them let loose on the parade 
ground for us to chase, and such sport I never saw, but / 
cannot run, it tires me and makes me limp. 

Last night the men had orders to sleep with their guns 
in reach, to turn out at a moment's notice. The Col. sent 
word to me to sleep with one eye open for any orders that 
might come to me to sound the bugle to turn out, as he- 
expected an attack. My respects to all. 

Allen A. Kingsbdry. 



Letter XXIY. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Dec. 8, 1861. 
My Dear Parents : 

The other day the rebels came very near throwing a 64 
pound shell into our camp. It came within a hundred 
feet of the liospital building and burst. It made a hole 
in the ground five feet long and two feet deep. They 
were firing at a balloon we have here, and came in range- 
of our camp. At the time it was fired the regiment were- 
drilling in the field opposite the camp. At the instant it 
came over us, for it came directly over our heads, I was- 
sounding the " retreat " on the bugle. As soon as I 
heard it coming I fell flat on the ground ; it made a tre- 
mendous noise wlien it came. The day it Avas fired Gen. 
Wigfall, of Texas, was in the rebel battery from which it 
was thrown. We fired three or four shells, one of which 
burst right amongst them, dismounting one of their can- 
non, and killing one of their men. 



60 LETTERS. 

I bought me a pair of opera glasses last Saturday, and 
this morning I had a good chance to try them. I went 
out upon the hill in front of the camp to take a look upon 
the river. Three of our gunboats and the Harriet Lane 
were in the stream. As I sat looking at them, one of 
them, the Yankee, steamed out into the middle of the 
river, and fired a shell up into the woods on Freestone 
Point. I kept watch toward the woods, and after six or 
seven shots from the gunboat, I saw a regiment of rebels 
with three wagons leave the woods at a " double quick " 
gait. I could see the shells explode, and the rebels flying 
in every direction. There was a continual roar of the 
guns and explosions of the shells for an hour or more. 
After that, one of the boats went down and the men went 
on shore, but the rebels were all gone. A house filled 
with Quarter Masters' and Sutlers' supplies was set on 
fire. They took down a flag from a house which the rebels, 
in their haste to get away, had left. 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 

Letter XXV. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Dec. 29, 1861. 
Dear Parents : 

The rumor of war with England makes a great deal of 
talk in camp ; some think we shall have to fight British 
troops as well as Southern rebels. I think we shall prob- 
ably have a long war, not with England, but with the 
South. There are too many traitors in ofiice under the 
Federal government. 

There are a great many people who know nothing about 
the army only what they read in the papers. They don't 
see what we see who compose the army. 



LETTERS. Gl 

Christmas was very pleasant. Some of the tents were 
trimmed up and looked first rate. I wish I could send 
you some of the hoJhj trees, they are splendid ; they have 
green leaves and red berries. I am in good health, weigh 
one hundred and fifty pounds ; well I don't do much, but 
whittle, smoke and read. We have soft bread now, baked 
in the regimental overiSj each man has one loaf a day, 
about the size of the five cent baker's loaves at home. 
This lasts for three meals. At noon we sometimes have 
soup, roast beef, or salt horse (salt beef). Three times 
a week we have baked beans for breakfast. On the whole, 
we live pretty well just now. I send you some seeds — 
the black ones are morning glories. The three small white 
ones are a species of cactus that grows on the banks of 
the Potomac. I could not find any more ripe seeds. The 
leaves are in the shape of a heart. The darkies say the 
blossoms are red and white. You can plant the seeds, 
perhaps they will come up. 

Well I must now close and go and get som^ feathers to 
sleep on. Said feathers are cedar houghs! They make 
a tip-top bed, but won't last long. They soon get dry 
and crumble up. We have a funny little stove in our 
tent, it is shaped like an inverted tunnel. It stands in 
the centre of the tent, the pipe goes two thirds of the way 
to the top ; it warms up the tent finely. 

Give my love to all. Allen A. Kingsbury. 

Letter XXVI. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Feb. 6, 1862. 
Dear Parents : 

I received your welcome letter of Feb. 2d last night. 

Glad to hear from you, and that you are all well. My 



62 LETTERS. 

cold is some better, but my knee pains me very mucli. 
Sometimes it aelies so that I can't sit still, but have to 
keep moving about. I am rather sleepy to-night, did not 
get any sleep at all last night. I went on guard at 12 
o'clock at night, and remained till six this morning. Six 
hours on and six off. Rather hard, but such is life. Our 
regiment is helping build a road from here to the landing 
on Mattawoman Creek, about five miles. Each regiment 
does a certain part of the work. We have got a new flag, 
a garrison flag, which means that some of the regiments 
will remain here. I hope it will be ours, for we have nice 
comfortable quarters now, dry and warm. I have joined 
the " Fay Literary Institute," a sort of Lyceum. We 
have a library of about 500 or 600 volumes of good read- 
ing, so I can read when I have nothing else to do. It is 
very pleasant, all the boys in my section belong. It is not 
cold here now, the birds singing every day as 'merrily as 
they do at home in May or June. 

Love to all. Allen. 



Letter XXVII. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Feb. 14, 1862. 
Dear Parents : 

We have just heard of the capture of Roanoke Island. 
The boys are quite excited by this and the capture of Fort 
Henry in Tennessee. We heard also last night of the 
burning of Elizabeth City. Our troops arc now on the 
straight road to Norfolk. Gen. Hooker told Col. Cowdin 
that he (Col. Cowdin) and his men would be on Boston 
Common in May, but I don't see it in that light. The 
war may end about the 4th of July, but there will be a 



LETTERS. 63 

standing army for years, and this regiment will probably 
garrison some fort. 

We are at work building a road, as I told 3^ou before. 
The wa}^ we do is, we cut pine and cedar brush, cart them 
up to where we are building, large logs are laid down each 
side ; we then fill in the brush and cover over with dirt. 
It makes a first rate road. It astonishes the Marylandcrs 
to see the Massachusetts men make roads, something ivhich 
they have never done ! 

Love to all. Good-bye. Allen. 

Letter XXVIII. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Feb. 21, 1862. 
Dear Parents : 

It has been very pleasant here to-day. We have been 
reviewed by our new Brig. -Gen., Neagles. He is worth 
$500,000, and bought his commission. To-day there were 
two cannon broui>;ht down from Washino-ton for this divis- 
ion. They are Whit worth's breech-loading rifled guns. 
They were presented to our government by the loyal 
Americans in England. There are four others of the same 
kind, and which came from the same source, now at Wash- 
ington. They will throw a thirty-four pound conical ball 
seven miles. They arc on the hill in front of our camp ; 
to-morrow they will pay their respects to " Johnny Rebel." 
By the way, however, the rebels are leaving the other side 
and moving further back ; thc}^ have been burning their 
barracks to-day, and moving some of their guns. Three 
schooners went down the river to-day and were not fired 
upon, a thing which has not been done since we have been 
here. Bumor says they are concentrating their forces, 



64 LETTERS. 

and "Will try to cross tlie river, break our lines and get into 
Washington. Should like to see them try it, perhaps they 
would have a good time doing it. We may have a battle 
soon ; our regiment is under marching orders. I hope we 
shall be in one more battle ; I want to see one victory 
myself. Some of the boys think we shall be at home by 
the 4th of July, but I don't think so. 

My love to all. Allen. 

Letter XXIX. 

Camp Hooker, Md., Feb. 27, 1862. 
My Dear Parents : 

It rains here quite hard to-night, but I am in the cook 
house by a good fire, with a barrel and a large box cover 
on it for a table. There are three of us around it, all 
writing letters. Yesterday they tried the new guns which 
I wrote about in my other letter. They fired at the rebel 
battery on Shipping Point. The first shot fell short of 
the battery and struck in the water ; the second shot went 
plump into tlie battery. Every shot after that struck 
either in the battery or in their camp back of the battery. 
With our glasses we could see the effect the shots produced 
upon the rebels. I guess they thought we had got Queen 
Victoria's pochet piece that threw a ball across the straits 
from Dover to Calais, (France) which is 21 miles. 

Our Lieut, said we should see fighting in forty-eight 
hours, but I don't see it so. There will be no forward 
movement on the Potomac for some time yet. As long as 
these rains continue to come we cannot move. It is an 
utter impossibility for an army of 70,000 or 80,000 men 
to march over such roads as these. 



LETTERS. 65 

We are not to be paid olT till the first of April. As. 
there is not money enough in the treasury to pay ail the- 
troops, what money there is will go to pay the western troops- 
who have been fighting so much of late ; well, I am willing.. 
I see by the papers that there is a bill before the Senate 
to send home the first three regiments from each State, but 
I hope this will not be done till rebellion is crushed ; it is- 
now in its last throes if I am right. 

Good nijrht. Allen.. 



Letter XXX. 

Camp Hooker, Md., March 9, 1862. 
My Dear Parents : 

This has been an eventful day, one long to be remem- 
bered by the 1st Regiment. Just after dinner I went out 
upon the parade ground to look over and see "Johnny- 
Rebel." I had not been there long when our gunboat 
Anicostia came down from the upper flotilla and com- 
menced firing shells into Timber Bench battery. They 
fired some twenty-five or thirty shots, but could get no an- 
swer from the rebels. They then sent a boat loaded with 
men to the shore ; they landed without any trouble, and 
finding the battery deserted they waved the stars and 
stripes over it. x\t the moment the boat reached the shore 
we saw smoke at Shipping Point battery ; it grew larger 
and larger ; very soon we heard explosions of powder, and 
soon smoke from the rebel steamer Page. It began to 
blaze, and soon was all on fire. It was a splendid scene ; 
the heavy smoke and frequent explosions, and the timbers, 
dirt and stones flying in every direction. We thought the 
rebels were leaving in earnest. At 3, P. M., the barge 



66 LETTERS. 

started loaded with boys from all the Co.'s but Co. H. 
They went to the gunboat which towed them down to 
Shipping Point where they landed, but found no one. 
The works were all burnt and blown up. All their largest 
guns were loaded to the muzzle with powder, and then 
spiked, and covered up with wood and set on fire, so that 
the guns might get hot and explode. There were ten 
large guns and two large sticks of wood painted black 
and made to represent large cannon ! They burned up 
thousands of dolhirs worth of ammunition. The boxes of 
ammunition would get on fire and go off like cannon, and 
then rattle like musketry. Our boys saw the magazine on 
fire when they got there ; there was a fuse leading to the 
powder on fire, hut our hoys cut the fuse and saved the 
powder ! 

Everything is in confusion in camp to-night. You must 
watch the papers now for a big battle ; perhaps it will 
be fouo-ht soon. The sooner it is fouo;ht, the sooner we 
shall be at home. But we may never see another hattle ; 
but I hope we shall, for T want to luipe out the Bull Run 
retreat ! And if the Massachusetts 1st get a chance, they 
will do it with a will ; there will be no cowards to run this 
time ! 

Give my love to all. A. A. K. 

Letter XXXI. 

Camp Hookkr, Md., March 14, 1862. 
My Dear Parents : 

I informed you in my last of the evacuation of the rebel 
batteries on the opposite side, and that all our regiment 
except Co. PI, who were left on guard, had gone across to 



LETTERS. 67 

them, but we went over on Wednesday. We crossed in a 
ferry boat and barges, and such a sight as met our gaze ! 
There was a fence alono- the shore eight or ten feet hio-h, 
so that if a force was landed on the beech they could not 
get over. After we got inside we found the ground cov- 
ered with shot and shells, and the wrecks of gun carriao-es 
which had been blown up. There were twelve larjre o-uns, 
some of them in good condition, except being spiked. The 
houses were built under ground. They dug into the side 
of a hill, erected logs for pillars, and logs over the top, 
and then covered over with dirt three feet deep. They 
are damp, dark miserable hovels to live in. About a mile 
from the battery was the camp ground of the 22d North 
Carolina regiment. Their huts were like those at the 
battery, only they were covered with tents, and had a fire- 
place in each. From four to six men bunked in a house. 
The men in each house cooked for themselves. The 
ground was strewn with pans and kettles of various sorts ; 
there were Dutch ovens, &c. At the Commissary's were 
two beef creatures killed and cut up ready to be dealt out 
to the co'oks. There was rice, unroasted coffee, flour, &:c. 
The rebels left in such a hurry that they could not take it 
with them. A little farther on was the camp of an Ala- 
bama regiment ; near this was a Sutler^s shop and post 
office. The keeper had left stores to the amount of 4000 
or 5000 dollars ; but I tell you the boys did not leave 
everything as they found it. There was sugar, flour, tea, 
coffee, candles, clothes, knives, nuts, preserved peaches, 
candies of all kinds, and in fact about everything usually 
kept in a country store. I did not get many things as I 
was with a scouting party, and liad to keep near the Col. 
with my bugle. I got a violin, box and all, a lot of violin 



68 LETTERS. 

strings, some fish lines, buttons that I found in the Caro- 
lina camp, a book, a lot of letters, and some combs. 
But I must close. Good night. 

Allen A. Kingsbury. 



Letter XXXII. 

Gamp Hooker, Md., April 4, 1862. 
Dear Father and Mother : 

We have not left here yet, but this is the last night we 
shall stay here. We start at 7 o'clock to-morrow morn- 
ing. The schooners and transports are now laying off the 
shore in readiness for us. We are going to Hampton, 
near Fortress Monroe. Everything has been given out to 
us to-night ; every two men have a tent for themselves. 
We shall have to carry them on the top of our knapsacks. 
The tents are in two pieces, one man carries one half, and 
the other man carries the other half. We use our guns 
for tent poles. Each piece is five feet square ; ten feet 
square when buttoned together. Yesterday one of the 
New Hampshire boys was shot dead while on the other side 
of the river by a rebel scout. One of the New Hampshire 
Co.'s were across the river digging up some cannon balls ; 
three of them strayed off some distance from the rest, 
when they were fired upon by a party of rebel scouts, and 
one killed. To-day about 1000 of Sickles' brigade went 
across and captured fifteen men and thirty horses of a rebel 
cavalry Co. One of the rebel prisoners had his hand shot 
off, and he acknowledged that he was the one who shot the 
New Hampshire man. 

My love to all inquiring friends. Allen. 



I 



LETTERS. 69 

Letter XXXIII. 

Ship Point, Buck Riveu, Va., April 12, 18G2. 
Dear Father and Mother : 

Here I am again upon the " sacred soil of Virginia." 
We left Camp Hooker last Saturday morning ; went on 
board the steamer " Kennebeck," but as it stormed we 
did not sail till Monday. Wo went as far as the mouth 
of the river, (Potomac) and it blew and stormed so that 
the Capt. of the boat dared not go out in the bay. We 
lay at anchor till Wednesday night, when it cleared off 
and we set sail, but it was tremendous rough on the bay. 
We reached Fortress Monroe Thursday at 9, A. M. There 
was a lar2;e fleet of vessels here : we went alono-side of 
the Monitor. I can assure you she is a curious looking 
thing. We saw the places where the shots from the Mer- 
rimac struck it and made dents in it. We saw the Ste- 
vens' battery and the steamer Vanderbilt, which is made 
to run twenty-two knots per hour, double engines and 
steel prow. At 1, P. M., Thursday, we left the fortress 
for York River, Va. ; but we are now this side of Buck 
lliver, in a small creek called Buck River. The ground 
is very low here, but we are encamped in some pine woods. 
All day yesterda}' steamers were coming in with troops ; 
there are 120,000 right around us now. It was one of 
the greatest sights I ever saw, to see the camp fires last 
niglit. As for as I could see the land seemed covered 
with men and horses. Close to us is a brigade of cavalry, 
3000 men ; they have a mounted band with tlicm. We 
are only five miles from Yorktown where there is a large 
force of rebels. Gen. McClelhm is in command here now, 
in person ; I have not seen him yet for he is on the out- 



70 LETTERS. 

posts. He sent a flag of truce the other day to Gen. Ma- 
grucler, the commander at Yorktown, for him to surren- 
der. Gen. Magruder returned answer that he would 
make every house in Yorktown a hospital before he would 
surrender. We have rather hard fare ; some of the reg^u- 
lars on the outposts did not have anything to eat for two 
or three days, but we get something every day as yet. 
The nights are cold, but the days are warm and pleasant. 
The peach trees are in full bloom, and there are lots of 
them. I have but just got up and my fingers are so cold 
that I can hardly hold a pencil. I will close now and go 
and get my breakfast of coffee and hard bread. Will 
write as often as I can get a chance to send a letter. 
Love to all. Good-bye. Allen. 

Letter XXXIY. 

Camp Winfield Scott, Yorktown, Va., ) 

April 18, 1862. ) 
Dear Father and Mother : 

I have just received your letter of April 6th ; we have 
not had a mail before since we left Budd's Ferry. Wed- 
nesday we left Skip Point for this place on the outposts. 
We had a hard march ; it is between four and five miles, 
very bad road, and tremendous hot. We did not stop but 
once on the way. We are within a mile of the enemy ; 
we are encamped on the farm of the rebel commander of 
Yorktown, Gen. Magruder. His house is very near us ; 
it is a splendid mansion, two stories high, with large chim- 
neys at each end, and numerous barns and out-houses, all 
surrounded by a large garden and grove of trees. A 
regiment of regulars are now guarding it ; it is used for a 
hospital. The 18th regiment is close to us. I am going 



i 



LETTERS. 71 

to see Frank Bonney to-morrow. There is any quantity of 
infantry and artillery here. Night before last we were 
awakened and turned out at 4 o'clock, and stood till 
sunrise, the whole Division ; we expected an attack. Last 
night at 12, we were called out ; a sortie was made by the 
enemy on our left, trying to take one of our earthworks of 
siege guns. They fell into one of our mashed batteries ; 
the roar of artillery and musketry was terrible for almost 
an hour. We were kept in line about an hour, but did 
not have to leave our camp at all ; we were then dismissed. 
At half past 8, A.. M., they commenced again, so out we 
had to go, waiting for orders. We stood in line till almost 
sunrise, and were again dismissed. Such is a soldier's life, 
he knows not when nor how to sleep ! We did not have 
any drums, bugles, nor music of any kind. Gen. 3Tc 
CleUan does not mean to have the enemy know how strong 
we are. I can see Gen. McClellan's head-quarters from 
my tent, but I have not seen him yet. You wish to know 
how many buglers there are. There is one to each Co. 
We watch and keep by the side of the Capt. during an 
eno^ao-ement. It is our business to sound the advance, 
halt, charge, &c., just as the Capt. or Col. gives orders. 
This battle will be one of the hardest of the campaign. I 
think the rebels have their best soldiers in Yorktown. If 
they are defeated here, their cause is irretrievably lost, for 
the way is then opened to Richmond. 

Col. Cowdin made a short speech yesterday morning 
when we were in line expecting an attack. lie told every 
Capt. to shoot the first man who showed any cowardice, 
and to watch those who were hrave and tell him, for, said 
he, " many who are now privates in the Mass. 1st regi- 



72 LETTERS. 

ment will bave commissions in a few months, if tliey be- 
have well." I am going to try for one, so look out. 

Gen. Hooker says he never saw a better regiment of 
reofulars diirinoj the Mexican war than the 1st regiment 
Mass. Volunteers, now in the " grand army of the Poto- 
mac," and I think that remark is true when I compare 
this reaiiuent with the others that I have seen. I had 
rather be a pi'ivate in the Mass. 1st regiment than to hold 
the highest commission in any of the others, and I have 
heard many say the same. 

Old Massachusetts may well be proud of her sons who 
compose her 1st regiment. It is not the same it was ten 
months ago ; those who saw it then would not know it 
now. I think differently from what I did a month since ; I 
thought then it was a great deal of boasting to say it was 
the best regiment, but when I hear what the members of 
other regiments say of us, how they look up to us in al- 
most every thing, to hear their commanders say when drill- 
ing them, " you must come up to the Mass. 1st, don't let 
them beat you," it makes me feel proud to think that I 
belong to it. When the time comes for us to go into bat- 
tle you may expect to hear a good account of this regi- 
ment, or I am sadly mistaken. 

Sunday evening, April 20. This letter will go to-mor- 
row moining. It has rained all day, and is cold and rainy 
to-niglit. Another skirmish last nioht about 12 or 1 
o'clock ; we were awakened, put on our equipments, but 
did not go out of the tents. I send some flowers, they 
came off from a tree ; the woods are full of them, they 
look splendid. I would like to write you a great deal 
about the fortifications around here and the troops, but 



LETTERS. 73 

dare not, we liave orders not to. Well I must close. I 
will write as often as I possibly can, so good-bye for the 
present. • Allen. 

Letter XXXV. 

[It will be seen by the date of this letter that it was written the 
day before we was killed. It was the last he wrote to Iiis parents, 
but did not send it to them. It was found among his papers, at 
the hospital, after his death.] 

Camp Winfield Scott, Yorktown, Va., ) 

April 25, 1862. ( 

Dear Father and Mother : 

I received your letter of the 2d ; glad to hear from you 
once more, and that you are all well. I am in good health, 
except a slight cold. Nothing of any importance, only a 
few skirmishes with the rebels, of which you have probably 
read ere this. We occupy the same ground that Wash- 
ington's army did in 1T81. McClellan's head-quarters 
are on the same spot. Near one of our earthworks is the 
ruins of the hospital which Lafayette built. There are 
mounds of (?arth and stones showing where he had dug 
trenches and thrown up earthworks. 

There are no signs of a battle yet. We are building 

for our mortars and heavy siege guns and digging rifle-pits 

for infantry to support the batteries. When all is ready 

" Johnny Rebel " icill ivahe up some fine morning and 

find the shot and shell falling into his forts at the rate of 

from fifty to one hundred per minute ; shells weighing 

from ten to two hundred pounds! Oar pickets are so 

near the rebel lines that they can hear them calling the 

roll. We have taken twelve or fifteen prisoners, with 

some who have come in and given themselves up. They 



74 LETTERS. 

all say that the rebels are strongly fortified, but that they 
are very dissatisfied and are constantly fighting among 
themselves. A few nights ago they were fighting all night 
near where our pickets were ; they were having a rebellion 
among themselves. I do not blame them, although they 
fare a great deal better than we do I 

The woods here are all blossomed out. There is any 
quantity of high laurel here ; the boys get it and make 
pipes and rings of it. When we first came here the woods 
were full of Whippoor-wills, they made me think of home, 
but they have been all scared away now. Mayor Fay has 
been out here. When he came the boys were all out of 
tobacco, and no money to buy any with, for we have not 
been paid off yet, so the Mayor went and bought us twelve 
or fifteen dollars worth and divided it amongst us, and 
yesterday our Orderly Sergeant got a lot more, so that 
each man had half a pound. We have got a new Briga- 
dier-General, his name is Grover. Neagles was arrested 
three or four times, I don't know for what. 

Love to all. Allen. 



Letter XXXVI. 
Letter to his little Sister, aged seven years. 

[I hope that all the little girls and boys who read this book will 
read this letter over and over again, especially that part of it which 
tells them how the soldiers live. what a dreadful thing war must 
be to make folks go way off from their homes and friends and live, 
as our friend who wrote this letter, says they lived where he was ; 
and remember that he and those with him fared as well, if not even 
better than some of the soldiers. And will not those boys and 
girls try to do all they can to prevent war 1 Perhaps you ask how 



LETTERS 



75 



you can do this 1 By loving each other and doing all the good you 
can. — Ed.] 

Camp Hooker, Budd's Fekry, Md., Feb, 2d, 1862. 

My Dear Sis : 

I am now going to write you a letter. I suppose you 
can read it by this time, can't you ? I guess you can. 
Do you go to school ; well, what do you study ? Do you 
have some good times ? Well you must be a good girl 
and learn all you can. You must learn to write as soon 
as you can. Have you learned to skate on your skates 
this winter? Do you slide down hill any with Bub ? 

Now I will tell you how we live here. In the morning 
the drums beat at 5 o'clock, and we all get up and go out 
and the Sergeant calls our names, and we answer to them ; 
that is called "roll call." We then have breakfast of 
coffee and bread, no meat or potatoes. At noon we have 
soup, salt beef, or roast beef; for supper we have coffee 
and bread again. We then go to bed, lay on boards, 
cover ourselves with our blankets and go to sleep and sleep 
till morning, if the rebels don't fire their cannon and wake 
us up. Well I can't stop to write any more now, so good 

night. 

From your Brother, Lonzo. 

P. S. Now you must write me a letter, will j^ou try? 



OTHER LETTERS. 



Letters received by the parents of A. A. Kingsbury from the 
Chaplain of the regiment and Captain of the Co. to which he be- 
longed, and also from others concerning his character as a soldier, 
his deatli, &c. 

Letter from Rev. W. H. Cudworth. 

Camp Winfield Scott, April 26, 1862. 
My Dear Sir : 

You have doubtless lieard that your brave aud noble 
son, Allen A. Kingsbury, of Co. H, was wounded this 
morning in an attack made about daylight upon one of 
the advance earthworks of the rebels before Yorktown. 

The wound is of a very serious nature, from which he 
may not recover. He received a rifle ball in the abdomen 
as with his Co. he was marching " double quick " upon 
the enemy's works. We all hope and pray that he may 
live, but the surgeons fear that he may not, and Alonzo 
himself entertains the same idea. In the meantime, how- 
ever, he is perfectly calm, composed and resigned, and 
free from acute pain. I have just called upon him at the 
hospital, and his only source of disquiet seems to be that 
you, his mother, sister, brothers and friends will suffer on 



OTHER LETTERS. 77 

his account. If lie is called awa^'- it will be your rich con- 
solatiou that lie received his death wound in the faithful 
and courageous discharge of his duty, and dies a martyr 
to the hol}^ cause of liberty and law, and in defence of our 
common country's flag. 

I am most happy to state that the gallant charge of Co. 
H upon the rebel entrenchment was entirely successful, 
and that before our men reached the ditch surrounding it, 
the rebels broke and fled to the woods in the wildest con- 
fusion. Our loss was killed, three, wounded, thirteen, 
missing, none. 

As your son Allen shall grow better or worse I will 
write again, meantime believe me, in admiration of him, in 
deepest sympathy for your afiliction. 

Sincerely yours, 

W. H. CuDwoRTir. 

Lettkr from WxAI. Thorpe. 

Camp Winfield Scott, Yorktowx, Va., ? 

April 2G, 1862. ( 

Mrs. Kingsbury : 

This morning at 5 o'clock the Co. to which your son is 

attached was ordered to take a rebel battery by the point 

of the bayonet, and this they succeeded in doing amidst a 

hot and galling fire of bullets, grape and shells; killing and 

wounding many, also capturing eighteen prisoners. Our 

loss is four killed and thirteen wounded. Amongst the 

wounded is your son. He was shot in the left groin. He 

is now lying in a very critical position. Our surgeon has 

strong hopes of his recovery. Alonzo bears his aflhction 

calmly, and with a cheerful spirit, and wishes you to be of 

good cheer and hope for the best. 



78 OTHER LETTERS. 

Your son lias proved bimsclf to be a good soldier, and 
is beloved by all wlio know him. 

I am yours respectfully, 

William Thorpe, 
Co. D, 1st Rerr't. Mass. Vol. 



Letter from Capt. Carruth. 

Head-quarters Co. H, 1st Reg't. Mass. Vol. ) 
Camp Winjield Scott, April 26, 1862. ] 

Mr. Kingsbury — Dear Sir : 

It now becomes my painful duty to inform you that 
your son, Allen A. Kingsbury, was shot through the right 
groin in an action on the morning of the 26th inst., and 
died at half past 8, P. M., the same day. I saw him 
about an hour before he expired, and he requested me to 
inform you of the fact. At the time I saw him he was 
conscious, calm and happy, and particularly requested me 
to say that he hoped to meet his father and mother in 
heaven ! He died very easy, seeming as if he were going 
to sleep. 

While you mourn the loss of your son, we mourn the 
loss of a much beloved brother and companion in arms. 
He was a good and faithful soldier, and received his death 
wound while in the faithful performance of his duty, and 
in a glorious cause. 

Your son is not the only one who fell on that morning, 
for three others of his comrades were shot dead, and twelve 
others wounded. The action in which he was killed was 
a charge upon a rebel redoubt, and was a brilliant success. 

Since September Alonzo has been bugler for my Co. 
till a few weeks ago, when an order was received that all 



OTHER LETTERS. 79 

buglers should return to their original place in the ranks. 
Myself and command sympathize with you in your bereave- 
ment, and trust that our Heavenly Father in his infinite 
mercy will enable you and your family to bear it calmly, 
and truly hope that you will meet him in heaven. 

Should you at any time wish for further information, 
you are at perfecc liberty to ask, and as far as I know I 
will answer. I should be happy to hear from you at any 
time. 

I am Sir, your obedient servant, 

Capt. Sumner Carrutii, 
Commanding Co. H, 1st Mass. Vol. 



Letter from Rev. W. H. Cudwortii. 

Camp AVinfield Scott, April 29, 1892. 
My Dear Sir : 

Our worst fears concerning your son Allen have been 
realized. His wound has proved mortal. After very lit- 
tle suffering he passed quietly away Saturday evening 
about 8 o'clock, and was entrusted yesterday with his com- 
rades to await transportation home. 

I saw him frequently on Saturday, and to the last he 
maintained the same composure of manner, and manifested 
the same heroic willingness to die in his country's service, 
of which I wrote in my last letter. 

Among other bereaved fathers in New England, yours 
is now the proud privilege of feeling that you have sent 
forth a patriot and martyr to the holiest cause that ever 
appealed to man for aid and defence. May the memory 



80 OTHER LETTERS. 

of your departed son be ever precious to all who have 
known him, and his example incite many to prove as 
worthy the heritage of independence, won during our 
revolutionary struggle, as he has shown himself to be. 

Remember me as before, and with the deepest sympathy 
to the members of your family, 






Sincerely yours, j 

W. H. CUDWORTH. 



ONGUARD. 81 

ON GUARD. 

ADDRESSED TO HIS MOTHER. 

At midnight on my lonely beat, 

When shadows wrap the wood and lea, 

A vision seems my view to greet, 
Of one at home who prays for me. 

No roses bloom upon her cheek, 

Her form is not a lover's dream ; 
But on her face so fair and meek, 

A host of holier beauties gleam. 

For softly shines her silvered hair, 

A patient smile is on her face, 
And the mild lustrous light of prayer 

Around her sheds a moonlike grace. 

She prays for one that's far away, 

The soldier in his holy fight, 
And begs that heaven in mercy may 

Protect her hoy and Ness the right. 

Till, though the leagues lie far between, 

The silent incense of her heart. 
Steals o'er my soul with breath serene, 

And we no longer are apart. 

So guarding thus my lonely beat. 

By shadow}^ wood and haunted lea. 
That vision seems my view to greet, 

Of her at home who prays fur me ! 

Allen. 



82 THE Y 11 K T W N FIGHT 



[From the Dedliam Gazette] 

THE YOPvKTOWN FIGHT. 

The following commuDication from Dr. Monroe, of Med- 
field, enclosing a letter received by him from his son, the 
efficient Surgeon of the First Regiment, cannot fail of 
deeply interesting our readers : 

Medway, May 12, 1862. 
Mr. Editor : — I send you some extracts from a letter 
of the Assistant Surgeon of the 1st Regiment Mass. V. 
M., which may he thought of sufficient mom.ent for a place 
in your paper, particularly that relating to the case of 
Allen A. Kingsbury, the Medfield hero. The grand con- 
cert announced hj the writer did not take place for want 
of an audience. 

Yours respectfully, 

Alex. LeRaron Monuoe. 



Camp Winpield Scott, April 30, 1862. 
" Last Saturday morning we had a little skirmish. It 
was judged necessary to destroy a rebel earthwork, in 
order that we could construct another parallel; there were 
no guns in it, but it was manned by riflemen. Three 
Co.'s from our regiment, and two from the 11th, were de- 
tailed, under the command of Lieut. Col. Welles, to do 
the job. The affair was to take place within a mile of 
camp, and the wounded immediately brought in. The 
men did not (or were supposed not to) know where they 



Q 



THE YORK TOWN FIGHT. 8'' 

were going, and thouglit they were to go out on picket ; 
but they had an inklhig of it, I suspect. The party was 
turned out at 2, A. M., so as to be ready to commence 
the attack at da3^-break. From four to five I heard the 
volleys of musketry and the discharge of cannon, and 
soon the wounded began to come in. I was soon busy 
enough ; but there were no cases requiring amputation — 
all musket wounds — no shell. In two cases the ball re- 
mained in, and could not be found. Eighteen were hit, 
of whom three were killed, and one — Allen A. Kings- 
hury — died at evening. He was shot through the body, 
just above the umbilicus of it, at the right side of the 
spine. I gave him morphia, so that he died easily, though 
conscious to the last ; there was no help for him, and I 
never felt so for a patient before ; he was so gentle and 
uncomplaining, and hardly uttered a groan. I told him, 
before noon, that he would not live. Talking and read- 
ing of heroic deaths make no impression upon the mind, 
compared to that of the reality, j^lost all were struck be- 
low the middle ; five in the thigh, three in the leg, one 
each in the foot, shoulder, and head. The three killed 
were hit in the chest, head, and abdomen, respectively. 
No bones were broken, or large arteries severed. In the 
afternoon, eleven (the severely wounded) were taken to 
the Landing and put on board the Commodore hospital 
boat. I went down to see them yesterday, and found them 
all doing very well in the ladies' cabin, and provided with 
the hest medical care and attention. Sisters of Mercy 
nurse them. 

" The capture of the work was bravely done. Co. II 
charged across an open space of five hundred yards, not 
firing until they reached the edge of the ditch, then deliv- 



84 THE YORKTOWN FIGHT. 

erlng tlieir fire, and scrambling tlirough the ditcli and 
over the parapet to find — only one rebel, who said he did 
not run ' because he had no orders.' The rest fled just as 
our men reached the ditch, when they might have killed 
every one of us, for we did not anticipate a ditch. Then 
the Co.'s of the 11th came in and levelled the work, under 
the fire of rebel artillery. 

*' Sunday I went on picket with the regiment. We 
were exposed to fire all day — no one hurt on our side. I 
have a bullet in my pocket that struck within three feet 
of me. I had a fine view of their works. It takes nine 
thousand men to picket our front. Great works are going 
on, and in a few days down go the trees from behind the 
batteries, and begins the roar of three hundred guns and 
mortars ; it will be a fearful concert. 

" This afternoon gunboats are shelling the rebels, their 
shots passing over our heads. Working parties are out 
constantly — six thousand from our division. The weather 
continues bad. Three killed on picket last night. 
" Your aJBTectionate son, 

" F. LeBaron Monroe." 



ckelsea's uonored dead. 



85 



CHELSEA^S HONORED DEAD. 

RECEPTION OF THE BODIES. 

The following account of the solemn and imposing 
funeral ceremonies at Chelsea, together with the letter 
from his Honor Mayor Fay, copied from the "Chelsea 
Pioneer and Telegraph," cannot fail to be read with deep 
and aifecting interest : 

Our record of the events of the week— so far as relates 
to the reception and interment of the remains of the 
Chelsea A^olunteers who fell at the capture of the lunette 
at Yorktown— is already familiar to our readers : the whole 
population of our city— men, women, and children— uni- 
ted in the demonstrations and felt this second visitation of 

the calamity of war. 

The bodies of these brave men— George A. ^oyes, 
William D. Smith, Walter B. Andrews, and Allen A. 
Kincvsbury, members of Co. H, First Mass. Kegt., locally 
known as the " Chelsea Volunteers,"— arrived in Boston 
by the shore route Tuesday morning, and were received 
by a committee of the City Government, consistmg of 
Aldermen J. B. Dufur, E. W. Lothrop, and John T 
Haduway, and Councilmen E. C. Fitz, John Buck, and 
Mark Graves. Having deposited the remains in two 
hearses, each covered with the National Flag, they drove 
in carriages to Chelsea bridge, where they were met by a 
procession of citizens, which had formed at City Hall, and 
under escort of the Chelsea Rifle Corps, commanded by 



86 Chelsea's honored dead. 

Capt. A. J. Hilbourn, marched thither, attended by the 
Chelsea Brass Band, and an immense concourse of citi- 
zens, who lined the sidewalks, the balconies and windows 
being also crowded. 

After receiving the remains in the usual manner, the 
procession was re-formed under the marshalship of Tracy 
P. Cheever, Esq., with William A. Williams, Chas. J. 
White, Chas. M. Avery, John Whittemore and E. F. 
Perkins, Esqs., as assistants. 

The line was headed by the band, playing the old Eng- 
lish dirge of " Eoslin Castle " in a very impressive man- 
ner, followed by the Chief Marshal and a long procession 
of citizens marching four abreast. Then came the car- 
riages with the Committee of Arrangements, followed by 
a platoon of riflemen, with arms reversed, escorting the 
two hearses containing the bodies, which were flanked by 
riflemen without arms, and followed by a second platoon 
with arms reversed. 

The procession proceeded direct to the City Hall, where, 
after a prayer by Rev. Dr. Mason, the bodies were re- 
moved from the hearses and carried into the Hall. The 
Rifle Corps then detailed from their number a guard of 
honor, the duties of which they performed until the funeral 
took place the following afternoon at 3 o'clock. 

The bodies were embalmed by order of Mayor Fay, and 
arrived in boxes packed in sawdust. They were subse- 
quently placed in coffins of polished rosewood by Mr. 
Cbas. White, undertaker, and lay in state so as to aflford 
opportunitj^ of friends for a parting look. The faces were 
swollen, and identity difficult. 

The flags of the city floated at half-mast. As the cor- 
tege passed tln-ough Boston, many of the people stood un- 



Chelsea's honored dead. 87 

covcrecl. Tlie citizens of Cliarlestown, also, made every 
demonstration of sympathy and respect. 

Although the boys and children of our city were out in 
full force — the public schools having been closed for the 
day — a perfect stillness was voluntaril}- observed by them 
during the passage of the procession. Tears flowed from 
many eyes. 

THE FUNERAL. 

At three o'clock, on Wednesday, a procession of citi- 
zens, with Gov. Andrew and staff on foot, was formed at 
the City Hall, under escort of Chelsea Rifle Corps, Capt. 
A. J. Hilbourn, and marched to the Chestnut St. Church, 
where the principal rites were solemnized. 

Chestnut St. had been thronged for hours with ladies 
anxious to obtain admittance, the church not being large 
enough to contain all. 

The church was decorated in a tasteful manner. Be- 
hind the pulpit we observed an immense lift of funereal 
shade, broad at the base with conver2:ino: folds of sombre 
drapery, contracting at the top like a cornice, and sur- 
mounted with the words, 

** OUR HONORED DEAD." 

The American flag (the flag used by the Co. before their 
departure) was interwoved with the folds forming the can- 
opy, the brilliance of its colors being, however, repressed 
by the surrounding shade. The pulpit was draped in 
black, and overlain with the national emblems. In front, 
upon the altar, enclosed in dark rosewood cofliiis, with 
silver mountings, rested the honored dead. Flags partially 
covered them; wreathes of flowers and bouquets decorated 



88 Chelsea's honored dead. 

them. A silver plate upon each coffin bore the following 
inscription : 

** Allen A. Kingsbury, aged 23 years ; private Co. H, 
1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Killed at York- 
town, April 26, 1802." 

*' George A. Noyes, aged 40 years, 1 month, 6 days ; 
private Co. H, 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 
Killed at Yorktown, April 26, 1862." 

" Walter B. Andrews, aged 23 years, 2 months, 12 
days ; private Co. H, 1st Regiment Massachusetts Vol- 
unteers. Killed at Yorktown, April 26, 1862." 

" William D. Smith, aged 25 years, 1 month, 26 days; 
private Co. H, 1st Regiment Massachusetts A^olunteers. 
Killed at Yorktown, April 26, 1862." 

In front of the organ gallery was Inscribed in letters of 
gold, between two shields : 

*' WE MOURN FOR DEPARTED HEROES." 

In like manner, upon the sides of the chief galleries, were 
the names, "Smith and Andrews," " Noyes and Kings- 
bury," in golden letters, a shield on either end. Festoons 
of black and white muslin stretched from point to point, 
with banners and flags tastefully devised and draped. 

The relatives and friends occupied places in front. 
Near the pulpit were four soldiers of the Mass. 1st, 
wounded in recent battles. The body of the house was 
filled with the City Government, the military, Gov. An- 
drew and Staff, Adj. Gen. Schouler, and Commodore 
Hudson, and citizens. The ladies filled the galleries. 

The exercises commenced with a voluntary upon the 
organ, followed by a select hymn by the choir. Rev. Mr. 
Leonard read appropriate passages from the Scriptures ; 



Chelsea's honored dead. 89 

after which Rev. Mr. Mansfield made a brief address. 
He referred in a feeling manner to the disinterested pa- 
triotism which caused the deceased soldiers, whose memory 
they had come to honor, to sacrifice their lives for their 
country. They went forth as private soldiers. Nor rank 
nor lucre tempted them. They were brave men — ready 
at the call of duty to make the sacrifice of their lives. 
Their names were henceforth a part of the history of their 
country and their State, interwoven with the nation's 
honor and reputation. His intimate acquaintance with 
Mr. Noyes caused the speaker to dwell particularly on 
him. When the rebellion broke oat, he said he should be 
ashamed not to fight for his native land. When offered a 
Lieutenant's commission in another reoiment he declined, 
remarkino; that he was satisfied as he was, feclins: that the 
noble principles it was his privilege to defend gave suffi- 
cient honor. The speaker read extracts from Mr. Noyes's 
letters, showing that he was a man of strong patriotism 
and impassioned zeal in the defence of liberty, and a de- 
termined enemy to hunam slavery. When the speaker 
alluded to family ties, that bind the soldier to his home as 
well as other men, and the violence which absence imposes 
upon the heart — not that he loves the family less, but his 
country more — audible sobbings rolled, wave after wave, 
over the assembly. 

Ilev. Mr. Mallalieu followed, commencing in a reminis- 
cence of a Sabbath in June, a 3^ear ago, when tbe Chelsea 
Co. gathered to listen to the preaching of God's word by 
him in this city. And when they went hence, with bene- 
dictions, all hearts from city and State followed them, as 
they took their place in the front rank of the battle. It 
was not necessary to recount that the blood of tlic Chelsea 



90 CHELSEAS HONORED DEAD. 

Co. was tlie first shed in Virginia. They were next on 
the Potomac awaiting developments. They came. We 
follow the Chelsea Co. to Yorktown. He did not know 
how it was — hut so it was — on the 26th of April Co. H, 
Chelsea Volunteers, are again led straight into the face of 
the foe — where death menaced them in the fiercest forms, 
and we had undoubted evidence that not a man of them 
proved craven ; right on they marched in the face of a 
deadly fire, and gallantly carried that rebel redoubt at the 
bayonet charge. History would tell the story to all-listen- 
in 2: time. 

Rev. Mr. Plumb, pastor of the church, made the next 
and closing address. He eloquently portrayed the services 
and death of the deceased, who had laid down their lives 
in a noble cause. The citizens of Chelsea, their friends, 
and all who had patriotic hearts, would not fail to honor 
their memory. 

Prayer was offered by Eev. Mr. Mason, of the Baptist 
Church, after which the choir sung the hymn, " Come, ye 
disconsolate, where'er ye languish," and the services were 
closed with a benediction. A procession was then formed, 
as follows ; 

1 — Chelsea Rifles, acting as escort. 

2 — Four hearses, with sixteen pall-bearers, eight from 
the returned Boston Fusiliers, Mass. 1st, and eight from 
the returned Chelsea Volunteers, of which the deceased 
were members. 

3 — Relatives and friends in carriages. (About twenty 
carriages. ) 

4 — City Authorities of Chelsea. 

5 — Governor Andrew and Staff. 

6 — Citizens generally. 



Chelsea's honored dead. 91 

The cortege moved througli Chestnut, WlUuims, Broad- 
jvay, Bellingham, Shuitlcff, Central Avenue, and Shaw- 
mut streets to the Garden Cemetery, where the bodies 
were placed in a tomb, three volleys having first been fired 
over them. The ceremonies were of a most impressive, 
character. 

It is but proper to add, that the Rifle Corps, under 
Capt. Hilbourn, made a remarkably good appearance, and 
their firing over the grave was done with marked precis- 
ion. The Chief Marshal and his aids were very efiicient 
in the management of the procession, which was conducted 
with becoming propriety and regularity. 

The following dispatch was received just as the services 
at the church were closed : 

"Washington, May 7, 1862. 

To Tracy P. Cheever, Esq. : 

I have just arrived from Yorktown. I saw the Chelsea 
wounded on board of the Commodore yesterday morning. 
They are all cheerful and improving. I have made ar- 
rangements for their going home soon on furlough. I 
heard of Monday's engagement, and the participation 
therein of Hooker's Division, just as the boat was leaving. 
It is reported that the losses are principally in the New 
Jersey regiments. I regret that other duties have called 
me here, and will call me home, but I will return if needed. 
The whole army praise the bravery of the Chelsea boys. 
I join in spirit with the ceremonies in honor of the dead, 
and in sympathy for the bereaved. 



FiiANK B. Fay 



, '> 



92 rUNEPxAL SERVICES AT MEDFIELD. 



FUNERAL SERVICES AT MEDFIELD, 

CONNECTED WITH TUE BURIAL OF ALLEN A. KINGSBURY. 

The procession wliich followed the remains from Chelsea 
to Med field were met at the town line of Medfield by the 
Medfield Cornet Band, and Fire Co., and escorted to the 
residence of the parents of the deceased, on Thursday, 
May 8. 

On Friday, May 9, at 1 o'clock, P. M., brief services 
were held at the house, consisting of remarks and prayer 
by Rev. S. W. Bush, pastor of the Unitarian Church in 
Medfield. A procession was then formed under escort of 
the Band Fire Co., and proceeded to the church. The 
large edifice, capable of holding nearly a thousand people, 
was crowded to its utmost capacity, and there were proba- 
bly as many outside, who could not obtain so much as a 
standing place within. The services were as follows : 

Singing by the choir. Prayer by Rev. J. W. Lathrop, 
of the Baptist Church ; reading of Scriptures by Rev. A. 
Bigelow, of the Congegational Church ; singing by the 
choir, of the hj'mn, commencing, "Rest, Brother, Rest, 
&c. ; " Address by Rev. C. C. Sewall, Unitarian ; prayer 
by Rev. S. \Y. Bush, Unitarian; singing by the choir; 
benediction by Rev. J. M. Merrick, of Walpole, Unita- 
rian. The services were solemn and impressive, and the 
excellent address of Mr. Sewall, which is published in this 
book, was listened to with profound attention. 

After the exercises in the church a procession was 



FUNERAL SERVICES AT MEDFIELD. 93 

formed, wliich, under the escort of the Band and Engine 
Co., moved to the Cemetery, where the following hymn, 
written for the occasion by Mrs. 0. 31. B. Tilden, of 
Medfield, was sung : 

Soldier rest ! thy warfare's ended, 
Bravely thou hast fought and died, 

Bravely home and right defended, 
'Twas thy glory and thy pride. 

Soldier rest ! th^? bugle calling, 
Comrades never more will hear ; 

For to-day sad tears are falling. 
O'er thy young, thy honored bier ! 

Tears, and shall we bear him weeping. 

To a soldier's patriot grave ? 
When with calm heroic feeling, 

Freely his young life he gave ? 

Yes, with tears, but not repining, 

Bear him to his early tomb — 
Strong men wept to see him dying, 

See him meet the hero's doom ! 

Fold the dear old flag around him. 

Lay him gently down to rest. 
Duty, early, willing found him : — 

Go ! like him your country bless. 

A few. impressive remarks were then made by Bev. Mr. 
Bush, and then all that was mortal of the faithful soldier, 
devoted patriot and heroic martyr was lowered into 
the grave, there to rest till the voice of the Archangel 
shall call him and all the sleeping dead forth to judgment. 



94 FUNERAL SERVICES AT MEDFIELD. 

His associates tben filed past the grave, each depositing a 
sprig of evergreen upon the coffin. A simple, but touch- 
ing ceremony. 

Some of the buildings were draped in mourning, the 
flags were lowered, and in various ways did the people in 
Medfield and vicinity manifest their respect for the honored 
dead, their sympathy for the mourning relatives and im- 
mediate friends, and the deep interest they feel in the 
great and holy cause in which he so bravely fought and so 
bravely fell. 

The pall bearers at the funeral were Messrs. Joseph 
Steadman, Lucius W. Allen, Lewis Goulding, of Medfield, 
and Edmund HilJ, of Med way, all of whom were three 
months' volunteers. The duties of Chief Marshal were 
admirably performed by Mr. Moses Hartshorn, of Medfield. 

E. A. J. 

Medfield, Aug. 1862. 



ADDRESS. 95 



ADDRESS. 

[The Address of Rev. C. C. Sewall, delivered at Medfield, 
on the occasion of the funeral of Allen A. Kingsbury, published 
below, is copied from the Dedham Gazette. The Editor, H. 0. 
Hildreth, being present at the funeral.] 

Fellow Citizens, — Kindred and Friends of the brave, 

lamented dead : 

The service to which I have been suddenly called, and 
for which I have felt myself inadequate, is one that makes 
larger demands upon the heart than upon the intellect. 
Else could I not have consented to be the medium, 
through which the emotions, now swelling the breasts of 
this whole assembly, should find utterance on this occa- 
sion. Events like that which has now brouo;ht us to2;eth- 
er, make us feel, I know, that we " all have one human 
heart," to be melted by sorrow and to be humbled in the 
presence of death ; one human heart to be thrilled also 
with the story of the patriot's noble deeds, and stirred to 
emulate his heroic self-sacrifice, by the patriot's calm and 
fearless death. Words are little needed here. The tears 
of loving and admiring eyes will speak more forcibly than 
any language. The sympathy of tender emotions will 
effect what the most brilliant rhetoric mijiht utterlv fail to 
accomplish. It is with feelings like these that I am here, 
friends, to give such expression, as I may be al)lo, to a 
few thoughts, suggested to my mind, as I doubt not they 



9G ADDRESS. 

already arc to yours, springing out of and befitting this 
occasion. 

iJefore us are the cold remains of a youth well known 
in this place of his birth and education, who, at the instant 
of his country's call for a volunteer army of defence against 
the designs of rebellious traitors, leading on their bands of 
deluded or envnomed followers, sprang forth with willing 
heart and eager step to enlist in the perilous service. 
Scarcely had the day closed on which the call of the Pres- 
ident was issued, before he, with other brave young men 
of our village, had not only decided to obey that call, but 
had actually completed a hasty preparation to forsake all 
the endearments of home, and, bidding farewell to parents, 
kindred and friends, took their departure for scenes which 
had never yet been presented to their imaginations, and to 
engage in employments and encounter perils which had 
never been experienced or apprehended before. Well do 
I remember — as I presume others now present remember 
— that lovely morning, when our young friend and his 
comrades left their homes and us. Well do I remember, 
how early were many of the citizens abroad, whom the 
story of the noble enthusiasm of these young men had 
roused to a feeling of deepest interest in the object they 
had in view, and in the fortunes that might await them. 
How warmly beat the hearts of all who saw them, in ad- 
miration of their patriotic devotion, and in sincere though 
unuttered prayer for their unsullied honor, their fearless 
courage, their safety in exposure, and their speedy and 
happy return ! AVhat cordial grasps of the hands were 
mutually offered in token of the kindest farewell ; and 
what cheering shouts of applause followed their departure ! 
Such a demonstration was an honest, though but a feeble 



ADDRESS. 97 

display of that mighty and almost universal outhurst of 
feeling, which soon after betokened the uprising of the 
whole people of the Northern States, against the attempt 
to overthrow the Constitution and the Union. I remem- 
ber observing him, whom we now commemorate, as he 
quietly contemplated the scene then before him, while 
tender thoughts, I imagined, were filling his mind, as tears 
filled his eyes, till he passed from the place where his 
whole life had been spent, where his warmest affections 
were centered, and where his presence might never be seen 
again. Little did I then apprehend the moral firmness and 
daring bravery of his young and tender heart. 

One of these young men, to whom I refer, had enlisted 
in a reginient that was immediately ordered to Washing- 
ton, and passed on its way through that riotous and bar- 
barous mob in Baltimore, the very mention of which still 
causes our blood to grow cold. But, having escaped the 
danger which fell by surprise on him there, and having 
afterwards been in honorable service through the term of 
his enlistment, he returned unharmed to his home and his 
anxfous friends. He, for whom we mourn to-day, being 
fresh from the labors of the farm and wholly inexperienced 
in military service, enlisted in a different regiment, and 
remained for several weeks engaged in military drill and 
discipline, until his Co. was ordered to join the army of 
the Potomac. No member of that Co. — which has so 
highl}^ distinguished itself in several engagements — went 
forth, I venture to afiirm, from the camp to his perilous 
service, with a lighter or a firmer heart, with nobler pur- 
poses of duty, or with calmer anticipatiou of the possible 
result to himself. 

7 



98 ADDRESS. 

At the far-famed, if not honorably-famed battle of Bull 
Run, our young friend was among the foremost in the 
fight. In his eagerness to encounter the enemy, he re- 
ceived several shots which barely avoided his life, and at 
last was struck by a cannon ball, the force of which was 
erroneously supposed to be spent, and disabled from stand- 
ing any longer at his post. But, after falling at the mo- 
ment when he might not have been charged with cowardice 
had he instinctively shrunk from further peril, he coolly 
reloaded his gun and deliberately shot an approaching 
officer of the rebel troops. His coolness and bravery on 
this, as on other occasions, did not fail to attract the no- 
tice and admiration of his fellow soldiers and their com- 
manding officers, and was honorably mentioned in the 
published accounts of the battle. Borne from Bull Run, 
a wounded sufferer, though his wound was then supposed 
to be comparatively slight, he spent several weeks in the 
hospital and then returned home on a furlough. Here, 
visiting once more the familiar scenes of his early days, 
and sharing the care and attention of kind parents and 
friends, he gradually recovered his strength and healed his 
wound. At the expiration of his furlough, he unhesitat- 
ingly and with unabated enthusiam returned to his regi- 
ment. He thenceforward shared all the marches, the 
labors and the perils of the army — many of which we know 
were of no ordinary character — until, in the late battle at 
Yorktown, and in the perilous position of one of a Co. 
which had been ordered to march at double quick and 
make a deadly charge upon an entrenchment of the rebels, 
he was mortally wounded. 

Here opens upon us a scene in the closing history of our 
young friend, which commends him most strongly to our 



ADDRESS. 99 

affectionate remembrance and warmest regard. Having 
fallen mortally wounded, and already experiencing those 
peculiar and indescribable sensations which usually follow 
such wounds — to say nothing of the remembrances and 
the apprehensions which will crowd upon the failing mind 
— our young friend calmly resigned himself to his fate,, 
uttered no groan of anguish, wasted no thought in vaini 
regrets. He spoke only the words of kindly cheer tO' 
others, who would survive him, and of entire acquiescence 
in his own different lot ; and then gathered up his thoughts; 
of his fellow soldiers, his home and his God. For the 
former, he rejoiced in the assurance of their entire success. 
in the gallant charge which cost him his life. For his. 
loved home, and the friends who would soon hear and 
mourn his fate, he inwardly breathed, we doubt not, as- 
fervent a prayer as the chills of approaching death could 
permit ; and then, directing his thoughts to the change to- 
wards which he was rapidly passing, he sought in the vo^ 
ume of inspired truth, those words of promise and consola- 
tion, which alone are fitted to sustain and cheer the parting 
spirit. Perceiving, probably, by some new sensations, that 
the hour had come when he must drop the veil of flesh, he- 
requested an attendant, it is said, to give him a pin, re- 
marking that his arm was numb. Then thrusting the pini 
into the flesh, he calmly said, ** it is dead." Expressing^ 
now the hope which filial love and piety prompted, that he^ 
might meet in Heaven the parents whom he could see no- 
more on earth, and particularly requesting that these, his 
dying words, might be transmitted to them, and so they 
might know that 

" the last pulse of his heart 

Beat true to filial love," 



100 ADDRESS. 

he quietly sank into the arms of God's messenger, Death, 
and was borne, we trust, through the mercy of God, to 
that better home, where the cry of battle is never hoard, 
and the rage of human passions is never known. There, 
wo trust, also, through the mercy of God, upon whom the 
hope of every human heart must ultimately depend, will 
the hope of our dying friend be realized, and parent and 
child meet never to weep, never to part again. 

I have purposely forborne to speak of the birth, parent- 
ao"e and domestic trainino: of our youno; friend, because 
such facts, it may be presumed, are already well known to 
those who have been residents here, during the whole brief 
period of his life. His public education was only of that 
limited character to which education is usually confined 
among a population like ours. But, from his letters, and 
from his daily journal, which had been faithfully kept dur- 
ing his absence, proof enough may be gathered to show 
that what means of education he had enjoyed, had not 
been wasted upon him. Speaking from a somewhat close 
observation for many years, of his character at school, I 
am able to say that he ever manifested there those traits 
of imperturbable good humor and unaffected benevolence, 
which endeared him far more to his companions, than 
would, perhaps, an engrossing love of study, or any very 
marked progress in the attainment of learning. His abili- 
ties were good, and his attainments respectable. His 
thoughts, however, were chiefly engaged, I believe, upon 
the free, unfettered exercise of his limbs and muscles 
abroad, and his chief delight was in the pursuits and 
pleasures of the sportsman. But these exercises, mingled 
with the usual labors of the farm, were admirably fitted to 
prepare him for endurance of fatigue on the march, and 



ADDRESS. 101 

for active service, or for courageous adventure, on tlio field 
of battle. And, in these qualities, it is universally ad- 
mitted by his companions and his superiors in arms, he 
greatly excelled ; doing thereby good service to his country, 
and winning for himself an honorable fame. From his 
commanding officer, and especially from the beloved chap- 
Iain of the regiment, we have the most gratifying assur- 
ance of the universal esteem and respect in which he was 
held ; of his admirable deportment in the camp and field, 
and of his perfectly calm, composed and resigned spirit in 
the mortal hour; having then but one source of disquiet, 
the fear that his parents and kindred might suffer on his 
account. 

Time forbids me to say more — though much more it 
were in my heart to say — of our friend and in commenda- 
tion of his claim to our cherished remembrance and regard. 
I pass, therefore, to advert briefly to the inspiring calls 
and the strong encouragements to duty, and to the abun- 
dant consolations in the sacrifices which duty may require, 
suggested by the occasion and by the events of the times. 

The condition of our country, in the terrible conflict in 
which we are now involved, demands of every good citizen, 
and especially of the young and the vigorous, the devotion 
of all their energies, and if need be, the sacrifice of life 
itself, for the defence of our free institutions and the restor- 
ation of absolute, unlimited control of the Constitution 
and laws over every portion of our territory. Until this 
is achieved, let no one ilnagine that peace and prosperity 
will ever again be established throughout our borders. 
Let no one imagine that any compromise of essential jus- 
tice and truth, or any tender mercies that may be heaped 
by forgiving hands upon the parties who have planned, 



102 ADDRESS. 

•stimulated and guided this r(;bellion against our govern- 
ment and Liws, will ever secure a substantial and cordial 
reunion of the now divided and contending portions of the 
Republic. From the events with which we are already 
familiar, in the history of this civil war, from the events 
now taking place, in the progress of our army, under the 
directifjn of its wise, calm and energetic conmiander, and 
in accordance with the will and judgment of the Executive 
of the government ; and more especially from scenes and 
events like that we are here to notice, to-day, what inspir- 
ing calls to the devoted service of his country reach 
every good citizen, every good parent, every conscientious 
and able young man ! Here, at least, is one impressive 
proof of an enthusiastic devotedness to the cause of his 
country by him whose cold remains are soon to be depos- 
ited in their final place of rest. Here, at least, is one in- 
spiring proof of the free surrender of parental hopes and 
affections by those who now mourn the bereavement of 
their first-born son. Here, at least, is one evidence which 
cannot escape the observation of every thoughtful mind, 
or fail to touch every feeling heart, which speaks to us in 
monitory tones, of a duty higher than any which self-inter- 
est embraces, and of claims stronger and more imperative 
than any which domestic engagements or household tie can 
create. Let the calls of our country be heeded and with 
alarcity obeyed. Let the ranks of our army, broken and 
thinned by thousands who have fallen in the camp, the 
hospital and the field, who perilled and sacrificed their 
lives in defence of their country, be restored and whole by 
fresh offerings on the altar of christian patriotism. Let 
the Commonwealth still have the right to claim, and the 
honor to receive the glory and fame of unlimited and uu- 



ADDRESS. 103 

selfish devotion to the cause of our national institutions, 
and of the Constitution and laws. Over the ashes of their 
fallen brother, let our young men resolve to devote them- 
selves as he did to their country's service. And If they 
shall perish, as he has perished, In the faithful and cour- 
ageous discharge of their duty, let them remember that no 
other offering — If this be made in christian faith and sin- 
cerity, can be more acceptable to God, or will more cer- 
tainly and more worthily obtain for them an honored and 
cherished remembrance In the place of their homes, and in 
the hearts of their fellow men. 

Nor will their resolution and their deeds be without 
abundant encouragement In the hope of complete success 
of the final extinction of treason and rebellion. Tho 
events of the times and the history of the past few weeks, 
fully authorize the belief — nay, afford an assurance — 
that complete victory will eventually crown the valor of 
our arms. The formidable boasted preparations for our 
defeat at New Orleans, at Yorktown, and at Williamsburg 
— but recently Inspiring many hearts, whose loved ones 
might be compelled to mingle in the fight — with painful 
apprehensions of the result, have all quickly yielded to the 
bravery and self-sacrifice of the federal troops. Not In vain 
have been the toils, the privations, sufferings and achieve- 
ments of those noble men, whom loving friends now cher- 
ish In their heart of hearts. Not in vain has been a single 
battle for the Union, though at the cost of many precious 
lives. Not In vain was that darino; onset which brou2;ht 
to the dust, with others, the youth whose death we here 
lament. The gallant cliarge of his Co. upon the rebel en- 
trenchment, was entirely successful, the works were de- 
stroyed and the enemy dispersed. Similar is the story of 



104 ADDRESS. 

every recent battle, and victory has crowned the federal 
arms. 

Our country will be saved. The union of tlie States 
will be restored. Our national banner — the emblem of 
freedom, peace and right — shall finally wave in triumph 
again over every city, town and hamlet in the land. Uni- 
versal liberty, security, prosperity and happiness shall yet 
be the possession and the glory of the American people. 

But this end, so much to be desired, and so — almost 
beyond a doubt — ultimately sure, may not be nigh. More 
terrible battles may have to be fought ; more sacrifice of 
life and love to be made ; more bitter hostility and enven- 
omed prejudice to be overcome ; more and greater con- 
quests to be achieved. The conflict may yet be deadly 
and long protracted, before the end, for which we look, 
shall be accomplished. The will of Heaven may permit 
disaster to follow recent victory ; unnumbered deaths, 
ghastly wounds, and heart-rending suflferings, to embarrass 
the progress of the army, and to spread sorrow and appre- 
hension among the people. Even so, Father ! if it be thy 
will. Not more surely does the sunshine follow the storm, 
or the day the night, than will the mission of sorrow and 
disaster operate to unite more entirely the sympathies of 
the people, and to rouse them to noble purposes, more 
glorious achievements. The wise ends of all we have 
hitherto suflfered, or may be permitted to suffer, will yet 
be demonstrated and acknowledged as the very means 
which have wrought out our national salvation, and se- 
cured the honor and glory of the land. Even they who 
mny have cause to bewail such bereavements as that which 
this day commands our heartfelt sympathies and prayer, 
shall have cause yet to say, — even as the parents of our 



ADDRESS. 105 

young frlond Lave said, and will again and again in trust- 
ing thankfulness say, "it is good for me that I have thus 
been afflicted." It is a righteous cause to which we 
yielded the child of our affections and hopes, and to which 
he willingly sacrificed his life, and we will not bewail the 
event. He died for his country. He died trusting in the 
God of his Fathers — the God of his country's worship and 
trust. He died for a glorious end ; for the preservation of 
our Constitutional Union and government ; for the triumph 
of liberty and law ; for justice and humanity. 

The poet's imagination has described the paths of glory 
as leading only to the grave. But the christian's faith 
foretells the blessedness of that reward to which the paths 
of glory, when sought with manly devotion to freedom, 
justice and truth, shall, through the grave, conduct the 
seeker, who may perish there. Be that path our aim. Be 
that blessedness our reward. 

The veneration of a heathern warrior for the great phi- 
losopher of his day led him, we are told, to offer homage to 
the gods, in token of his gratitude that a son was given 
him at a period when that son might receive instruction 
from the philosopher's lips, and share the inestimable ad- 
vantages of his conversation and example ! 

Christian parent ! let faith in the providence and prom- 
ises of God kindle in your breasts a more fervent gratitude 
for the lives of your sons, at a period like the present, 
and amid such events as are now taking place, when they 
may do something to rescue their country from evils which 
have tln-eatened its ruin ; when the history of brave and 
devoted men is philosopliy teaching them by example; 
when their brows may be graced with the laurels whicli 
the common heart of a grateful people will prepare for all 



106 ADDRESS. 

who defend their country in the hour of peril ; when their 
names — should it be their lot to perish in the service — 
may be inscribed upon the imperishable record of a nation's 
history and a nation's glory. 

To you, friends, the parents and kindred of our young 
friend, we offer all the sympathy of hearts, which, sharing 
the benefits achieved by the event which touches you so 
tenderly, and the admiration so universally accorded to 
your noble son, would also, in sincerity, share in your 
bereavement. May the God c»f the sorrowing and suffer- 
ing for a righteous cause support and comfort, heal and 
bless your wounded hearts ! May the tender hope of 
your dying son be at last fulfilled when parent and child 
shall meet in Heaven. 



A TRIBUTE. 107 



A TRIBUTE 

TO THE MEMORY OF ALLEN ALONZO KINGSBURY, OF MEDFIELD, 
MASS., A PRIVATE IN CO. II, CHELSEA VOLUNTEERS, WHO 
DIED AT YORKTOWN, APRIL 26, 1862. 

Toll out your saddest strains, 

deep-voiced village bells, 
Wake the silence of your hills, 

The echoes of your dells. 
Sigh to the listening ear, 

Another soul has fied, 
A fair young life has passed away, 

A mother's son is dead. 

Ring out your loudest peal, 

clear-toned village bells, 
Ye never knew a nobler task, 

A prouder tale to tell. 
Say to the ambient air, 

Earth in June glories drest, 
A brave true heart has reached its goal, 

A hero is at rest. 

When first our Northmen rose. 

To battle for the right. 
To tread the Southern serpent down, 

And keep our banner bright ; 



108 A TRIBUTE. 

While other hearts stood still, 

With terror and dismay, 
This staunch young patriot left his all, 

To join the cruel fray. 

Nor chillino; midnight storm, 

Nor noon-day's burning heat 
Could quench that loyal spirit's zeal, 

Or stay those tireless feet. 
" Forward for God and truth," 

Was watch-word far and wide. 
For " God and truth " he fought and bled. 

For '* God and truth " he died. 

Then ring an exultant peal, 

glad-tongued village chimes, 
Clearer than bugle call to war. 

Sweeter than Poet's rhymes. 
Say to the summer morn. 

By balmy winds caressed, 
The victor's brow has won its crown. 

The victor's soul is blest. 

Fannie Stevens Beuce. 
Boston, June, 1862. 



LINES. 109 



LINES 

SUGGESTED BY THE DEATH OF ALLEN ALONZO KINGSBURY. 

Hark ! hark ! from the far off battle-field, 

Sad news is borne along ; 
It tells of one whose fate is sealed, 

Of another hero gone ! 

Of one, who for his country bravely fought, 

Battled for the truth and right ; 
The place by him most fondly sought, 

Was " the thickest of the fight." 



>) 



"Where " the leaden rain and iron hail, 
Were spreading death around, - 

Where stout hearts began to quail, 
He calmly stood his ground ! 



But as he fearless rushed upon the rebel foe. 

The fatal ball was thrown, 
Which laid our gallant Brother low, 

And made us weep and mourn. 

'Tis sad that one so young and brave, 
Who fought for " God and truth, 

Should find so soon a martyr's grave. 
In the bright morn of youth. 



5 J 



110 LINES. 

But Heaven decrees it so to be, 

O let us not complain ; 
For though it strange may seem to be, 

Yet God will make it plain. 

But now our Brother is at rest. 
We shed the tears of love ; 

And trust that he is with the blest, 
In the bright world above. 

Medfield, July, 1862. 



E. A. J. 



OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. Ill 



OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. 

Letters from Mayor Fay of Chellea, and Official 

Documents. 

Mayor's Office, City Hall, ) 
Chelsea, June 10, 1862. J 

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Kingsbury, Medfield, Mass. : 

Friends : — I enclose with this a copy of the resolutions 
passed by both branches of our City Council, expressive 
of their sympathy for the families of the " Chelsea Vol- 
unteers " who died for their country on the 26 of April. 
The resolutions but express the sentiments of the whole 
people. 

While being human, you cannot but grieve the loss of 
your son, yet it must lessen the sorrow when you know 
that he died in a good cause and like a soldier. 

I am yours, truly, 

Frank B. Fay. 

Chelsea, May 29, 1862. 
In Board of Mayor and Aldermeji. 

Resolved, That the gallant charge of Co. H, 1st Mass. 
Regiment, our own " Chelsea Volunteers, ^^ on the 26th 
of April, before Yorktown, has added new honors to their 
record, and reflected new credit upon our city. Our grat- 
itude for the reputation cherished, our admiration for the 
bravery displayed, and our sympathy for the loss they 
suffered, are fully due, and are cordially tendered with the 



112 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. 

hope that thoy may be spared to enjoy the honors so 
nobly earned. 

Frank B. Fay, Mayor. 

EusTiCE C. FiTZ, Pres. Common Council. 



Chelsea, May 29, 1862, 
In Board of Mayor and Aldermen. 

Whereas, The City Government have learned with feel- 
ings of deep sorrow of the death of George A. Noyes, 
William D. Smith, Walter B. Andrews, and Allen A. 
Kingsbury, members of Co. H, (of Chelsea,) 1st Mass. 
Beo-iment, who were killed in makino; a gallant attack in 
front of the rebel lines at Yorktown, it is therefore 

Resolved, That we, in common with our fellow citizens 
tender to the families of the " Heroic Dead " our heart- 
felt sympathy^ 

Resolced, That their gallant conduct on the field of 
battle, deserves our warmest thanks, and should stimulate 
us all to noble deeds, and that although dead, the memory 
of their patriotism will still live. 

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions, 
signed by the Mayor and the President of the Common 
Council, be transmitted to their respective families. 

Frank B. Fay, Mayor. 

EuSTiCE C. FiTZ, Pres. Common Council. 



BRAVERY OF A MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIER. 113 



[From the Boston Journal, July 23, 1861.] 

BRAVERY OF A MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIER. 

The following account of the bravery of a Mcdficld soldier in 
the first fight at Bull Run is from a private despatch : 

" Lieut. Austin, of the Massachusetts First Eegiment, 
tells me that a JMedfield boy named Allen A. KingsLury 
behaved very bravely in the engagement at Bull Run. 
Ho was tripped up by a spent cannon ball, but sprang to 
his feet uninjured, and shouted : ' That was rather a low 
ball, but I caught it ! ' The next minute a minie ball 
passed through his blanket, which he wore partly in front 
of him, and took the buckle from his shoulder strap, mere- 
ly grazing the skin. Just then one of the secession offi- 
cers on horseback dashed ahead of his men, and waving his 
sword, urged them forward. Kingsbury exclaimed, 'some- 
body has got to pay for my blanket,' and taking aim at 
this officer, brought him down. The officer was carried off' 
by his men, but some of Kingsbury's men secured his 
sword, which he dropped as he fell from his horse. The- 
officers speak very highly of Kingsbury, and I am proud, 
that the old MedSeld blood is of the right color." 

Note. In this account, as published in the Journal, it is stated" 
that Kingsbury Avas from Medway, but that is a mistake. A cor- 
rection of which may he found in this book in the article headed 
*' Honor to v.'liom Honor is Due," which was published in the- 
Journal soon after the above account. — Ed. 

8 



114 HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. 



HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. 

To the Editor of The Boston Journal » 

In the account of the " Bravery of a Massachusetts 
Soldier," it is stated that he was from Medway. That is 
a mistake. The soldier there alluded to is Allen Alonzo 
Kingsbury, of Medfield. He was the first volunteer from 
this town. He left home about the 2d of April alone, 
unaided and unasked. In reply to his mother, who said 
to him she hated to have him go, he said : " My country 
calls and I must go.'''' He went to Boston, enlisted in 
Company H, Chelsea Infiuitry, Capt. Carruth. He soon 
won the confidence and esteem of both officers and men. 
He is about 21 years of age, fine personal appearance, a 
countenance beaming with intelligence, cheerfulness and 
good nature — a splendid head, worth more than the South 
would be able or willing to give for it — very prepossessing 
in his manners, an agreeable companion and an unfalter- 
ing friend. His act of shooting the rebel officer, although 
equalling if not surpassing in real bravery that of the 
lamented Ellsworth, is perfectly characteristic of the per- 
son, and such as we who knew him best would expect of 
him. In his own account of it, as contained in a letter to 
his parents, he says : " Companies Gr, H and F were or- 
dered into the woods to skirmish. We had not gone ten 
rods when a murderous fire was opened upon us from 
another masked battery. Our men fell awfully. Three 
of my comrades fell dead beside me. I jumped over a 
fence and found myself very near their battery. I saw an 



HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. 115 

officer standing on the bank, near a cannon. His sword 
was drawn ; he waved it over his head, telling us to come 

on, sons of . I drew up my rifle and fired. He 

threw up his arms and pitched head foremost down the 
embankment. I aimed at his heart, and probably shot 
him dead. After I fired, a perfect volley was aimed at 
me. One ball passed through my blanket, struck the 
eagle on my cross-belt, and knocked me down. Another 
struck sideways on the brass clasp of my belt, glanced off, 
cutting off ra}'^ cap box, and turned me round. I staggered 
and thought I was shot. It was a miracle that I was not 
shot dead. The balls flew like hail around me, but I did 
not think anything of them. I was cool as ice ; did not 
fire but once, for my caps were all gone." 

We do not wonder that Boston claims him as hers ; for 
a person who could perform a deed of such cool, deliberate 
courage, under such circumstances, is deserving the honor 
of the city, the Commonwealth, yes, of the whole country. 

But let all the honor of being the birth-place and home 
of so brave a youth be given, as it right 1}' belongs to the 
good old town of Medfield, Massachusetts. E. A. J. 

Medfield, July 29, 1861. 



In connection with the above I wish to give here a few 
items of some importance. Although some of them have 
been alluded to elsewhere, yet it is deemed proper that 
they be stated more clearly and perfectly : 

Allen Alonzo Kingsbury, the eldest son of Mr. James 
A. and Mary A. Kingsbury, of Medfield, Mass., was born 
in that town, Jan. 13, 1840. On the breaking out of 
this rebellion he felt it his duty to join the federal army. 



116 HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. 

Accordingly he left home April 19, 1S61, with but sixty 
cents in his pocket, harelj^ enough to ^Day his fare to Bos- 
ton, not waiting to know whether the town, the State, the 
general government, or any body was intending to give 
anything more than the regular soldier's wages. What a 
rebuke to those who refuse to enlist unless they are sure 
of having a bounty paid to them immediately of one, two 
or three hundred dollars ! April 20 he enlisted in the 
Chelsea Light Infantry, Capt. Carruth, Mass. 1st Kegi- 
ment. 

On Thursday, July 17, in an engagement with the rebels 
at Bull Run, he was wounded. He soon after returned 
home on a furlough, and might have felt himself honorably 
discharged from any further service in the army, but such, 
was not his desire nor his destiny. On the 11th of Sept. 
he left home to return to the seat of war, but the lameness 
occasioned by his wound, disabled him from performing 
fully the duties of a soldier, so that he was soon appointed 
bugler in the Company to which he belonged. This posi- 
tion he held till Gen. McClellan p-ave orders that all 
buglers should return to their j^laces in the ranks. And 
although quite lame and suffering at times excruciating 
pain in the wounded limb, yet he cheerfully returned to 
the ranks and faithfully discharged his duties as a soldier. 
On the morning of the 26th of April, in a brave and 
gallant charge upon the rebels, he received the fatal wound 
of which he died the same evening. Thus died at the 
early age of 22 years, 3 months and 13 days, one noble 
hearted patriot and deeply lamented friend. In regard to 
his views and feelings upon some subjects, especially those 
of a religious nature, we can better judge by what he did 
than by what he said, for he was not a person who said 



HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. 117 

much about such things, yet it is evident he thought con- 
siderably of them. The selection of pieces of poetry and 
the like found among his books and papers, his calling for 
and reading his testament during his dying hours, endeav- 
oring apparently to sooth his feelings in those solemn mo- 
ments with the "consolations of the gospel," prove that 
he was not a stranger to pious and religious impressions. 
While he was remarkably free and easy in conversation, he 
did not disgrace what he said with profane oaths nor ob- 
scene jests. One of his school teachers remarked to the 
writer, a few years ago, that she " cherished a very high 
respect for him for he was a boy of such good habits.''^ 
A gentleman of high standing and extensive information 
said to me a short time since, in speaking of our friend, 
"that a nobler and more generous hearted boy he never 
knew." The purity of his patriotism cannot be doubted. 
A short time before he expired he asked Capt. Carruth, 
who stood near his bed, if we had beaten the rebels ? The 
Capt. replied that we had. Then said our friend, " I am 
satisjied.''^ An expression worthy a place by the side of 
that of the lamented Gen. Wolf, at the battle of Quebec. 

He was an ardent lover of nature, and may we not be- 
lieve that he " looked through nature up to nature's God? " 
Plants, flowers, trees, rocks, rivers, mountains, the ocean, 
the thunder storm, yea, all the works and convulsions of 
nature awoke in his mind pleasing and sublime emotions. 

I will here insert a few verses which were found in one 
of his books after his death, they serve, as has already been 
remarked, to illustrate his thoughts and feelings. 



118 "WHERE SHALL MY GRAVE BE MADE? 



WHERE SHALL MY GRAVE BE MADE? 

BY J. B. HOAR, M. D. 

Oh ! wliere shall be my resting-place, 

When life's dull scenes are o'er ? 
Will it be 'neath the willow tree, 

Or 'mid old ocean's roar? 
Will this frail form at last repose 

Beneath the crested wave ? 
Or shall I by a sylvan bower, 

Rest in a quiet grave ? 

Must I alone, unpitied, die ? 

My eyes will strangers close ; 
And in the lonely churchyard lie, 

In gloomiest repose ? 
Will friends stand round my dying bed, 

The last farewell to give ? 
Or shall I die in unknown lands. 

Where none my fate will grieve ? 

If but at last the portal gates 

Of Heaven shall ope to me, 
And glory's crown rest on my brow, 

When death shall set me free — 
It matters not where'er, at last 

This mouldering form shall lie, 
If but my spirit may be borne. 

To realms beyond the sky. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 119 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

On the last leaf of Alonzo's last journal the following 
lines selected by him, we found written in pencil mark : 

*' Be still my heart and cease repining, 
Behind the cloud, is the sun still shining ; 
Thy fate is the common fate of all, 
Into each life some ruins must fall." 

" In my hand no price I bring, 
Simply to thy cross I cling." 



Here is a copy of the Card which some, and I would 
hope all the soldiers have. It is called the " Soldier's 
Prayer." It is truly rejoicing to every lover of the souls 
of his fellow creatures that the Christian people of the 
loyal States have endeavored to supply our brave, self- 
sacrificing soldiers with so much good religious reading 
matter. 

" Ask and it shall be given you. Matt. 7 : 7." 



THE soldier's prayer. 



"0, Father in Heaven, receive a penitent who cries to 
thee ; wash me in the Saviour's blood, and make me clean. 
Give me a new heart, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit. 
Forgive all my past sins, and after death receive me to 
dwell with Tliee ; for His sake who bled and died upon 
the cross to save me, Thy Son Jesus Christ, our only 
Saviour and Redeemer. Amen." 

" Whosoever shall call upon tlic name of the Lord shall be saved. 
Romans 10; 13." 



120 THE GLORIOUS FIRST. 



THE GLORIOUS FIRST. 

BY MRS. M. A. DENNISON. 

Hvirrali ! for the glorious first, 

Every mother's son of them ; 
Three cheers for the gallant first, 

And God bless every one of them ! 
Women be proud of the sons you rear, 

Daring dangers, brave and true ; 
"While you tremble in love and fear, 

They carve out glory for you. 

Hurrah ! for the gallant first, 

Every mother's son of them ; 
Three cheers for the gallant first, 

And God bless every one of them. 
Heroes and martyrs of such are made, 

Each stern brow for the laurel meet ; 
Never their loyal deeds shall fade. 

Blazoned on history's sheet. 

Hurrah ! for the gallant first. 

Every mother's son of them, 
Three cheers for the noble first, 

And God bless every one of them. 
Forward ! close to the cruel guns, 

See how the hot balls cut the air ; 
Old Massachusett's heroic sons 

Flinch not at hiss or glare ! 



i 



THE GLORIOUS FIIIST. 121 

ITuiTtili ! for tlic gallant first, 

Every mother's son of them ; 
Tlirce cheers for the noble first, 

And God bless every one of them. 
God gave victory — honor to him, 

And shame to the traitorous foe accurst ; 
But never shall faintest shadow dim 

The fame of the glorious first. 



122 LIEUTENANT AUSTIN's DESPATCH. 



LIEUT. AUSTIN'S DESPATCH. 

The following despatch was received from Lieut. Austin, of the 
Chelsea Volunteers : 

Washington, Juiy 20, 11 A. M. 
Hon. F. B. Fay, Mayor of Chelsea : 

I left Centerville yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock, and 
have just arrived here. Our regiment was first in the 
fight at Bull's Bun, and fought nobly. Companies G and 
H were in the thickest of the fioilit, and lost the most men. 

Those killed in our Company are Sergeant Thomas 
Harding, Philander Crowell, T. Needham, J. H. Murphy, 
and G. Bacon, (bodies not received). The wounded are 
George W. Gray, P. Crowell, Wm. Grantman, Orville 
Bisbee, George G. Learned, W. D. Grover, Nelson S. 
Huse, and A. A. Kingsbury, struck by a "spent ball " 
on the knee. Gray and Grantman are seriously injured. 
Gray cannot live, Grantman may recover. Crowell died 
yesterday morning. The others injured are principally 
from flesh wounds. They will be brought here to-day. 
Albert F. Wentworth, of our company, is missing. Can- 
not say whether or not he is a prisoner. Our men fought 
like tigers, never flinching or falling back until ordered, 
and then reluctantly. Capt. Carruth fought with his pants 
rolled up, and sleeves to his shoulders, like a lion, show- 
ing himself as brave as the bravest. He, with Lieut. Col. 
Wells, Lieut. Ward, of Company G, and Capt. Adams, 
of Company F, were the furthest in advance of the whole 
regiment, — up to the mouth of the enemy's cannon, where 



LIEUTENANT AUSTIn's DESPATCH. 123 

bullets fell like hail stones. Lieut. Saunders (Chelsea 
Volunteers) is indisposed by over exertion and fatigue. 
He brouglit nearly all the wounded men out from the fight, 
carrying them on his back to the rear "where the ambulance 
wagon was. Needham died on Lieut. Saunders's back. 
G. H. Hood is here. A. A. Kingsbury shot a rebel offi- 
cer. Bisbee loaded and fired twice after he was shot. 
Grantman shot three rebels. Grover, when wounded, 
handed his gun to Lieut. Col. Wells, who loaded and fired 
twice at the rebels. 



124 CONCLULION OF TUE BIOGRAPHY. 



CONCLUSION OF THE BIOGRAPHY. 

In the preceding pages we bave portrayed before us the 
life, character and early death of a brave young patriot. 
Of one who cheerfully left the comforts of a good home, 
the society of kind and loving friends, all the endeared 
scenes and associations of his childhood and youth, en- 
during the hardships and deprivations of " camp life," 
braved the horrors of the battle-field, and at last yielded 
up life itself, all for his country's holy cause. What an 
example for the young men of his native town, of the Com- 
monwealth, and of the country ! As I stood by his grave 
in the beautiful Cemetery in Medfield, I felt that Medfield 
had indeed laid upon her nation's altar a noble and a costly 
sacrifice. 

Again, as was said in the introduction, we learn some- 
thing of the sufferings of the soldiers. Take for example 
the " Bull Run " affair, so graphically described by our 
lamented friend. Think, ye, who are at your homes, 
lolling upon your soft yielding sofas, treading upon plushy 
carpets, languidly sipping your coffee, and perhaps your 
wine, partaking of the rich bounties of Providence, with 
which your tables are daily supplied, as though those 
bounties were hardly good enough for you, surrounded by 
all the comforts and pleasures which can make life desirable, 
think, I say, of our poor soldiers marching long, weary 
miles, over rough roads, with but little to eat, and that of 
a poor quality, suffering from thirst, and water scarce and 
difficult to be obtained, sleeping in the open air, upon the 



1 



CONCLUSION OF THE BIOGRAPHY. 125 

bare ground, exposed every moment to the treacherous and 
murderous fire of the rebel foe, and all for what ? why to 
defend yow rights and secure your liberties as much as 
their own. ! what a debt of gratitude do we owe to 
those brave fellows. How cheerfully and willingly ought 
we to do all in our power for their comfort. How earnest- 
ly ought we to pray God to have them in His holy keeping, 
and to shield and protect them from the innumerable dan- 
gers to which they are constantly exposed. 

And may our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom 
and mercy hasten the time, when, as a nation we shall re- 
turn to our allegiance to Him, when this fearful and cruel 
rebellion shall be crushed out, when the glorious old flag, 
4;he beautiful emblem of our nationality and of universal 
freedom, shall again wave its silken folds over every part 
of the American Republic, when pure, permanent, heaven- 
born peace shall again " be within our borders," and 
when we shall again become that great, happy, united and 
prosperous " people whose God is the Lord, the joy 
and wonder of the whole earth." E. A. J. 

Medfield, Aug. 1862. 



126 HISTORY OF MEDFIELD. 



HISTORY OF MEDFIELD. 

Medfield may be reckoned among the oldest towns in 
New England. It was the forty-third that was incorpo- 
rated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was 
originally a part of Dedham. Tradition says that the 
name, ■wlnoli may signifiy " Meddle-field," was so called 
on account of the large, beautiful field, or elevated plain, 
which forms the middle of the town. Or as ancient records 
spell the name " Mead-field," it might have been so named 
from the extensive meadows on the bands of the Charles 
River, which passes by it on the west, or from its pasture 
lands in general, as the word Mead signifies. Nearly the 
whole territory of the present town of Medway was former- 
ly a part of Medfield. The territory comprising the towns 
of Sturbridge and Southbridge, Worcester County, was 
originally owned by persons in Medfield, and for a number 
of years that territory was called Neio Medfield. 

Medfield was incorporated Jan. 1st, 1650. The land 
was originally purchased of Chickatobutt, an Indian 
Sachem in Stoughton. It was again bought in 1685, of 
his grandson, Charles Josias, alias Josias Wampatuck, for 
the valuable consideration of £4 10s. 

The first minister was John Wilson, Jr., the oldest son 
of Rev. John Wilson, of Charlestown. The Rev. John 
Wilson, of Medfield, when a child, was wonderfully pre- 
served from instant death. He fell from the loft of a 
building four stories high, into the street, struck upon his 
head, was supposed to be lifeless when taken up, and his 



HISTORY OF MEDFIELD. 127 

restoration was attributed to the prayers of his father. 
He graduated in the j^r^^ class of Harvard Collge, 1642. 

The first house of worship was erected in 1656. It 
was " thatched with straw," and by constant repairs lasted 
fifty years. The second one was built in 1706, and lasted 
eighty-three years. The third, the one now used by the 
Unitarian Society, was erected in 1789. There was a 
church bell in the town in 1676, but in 1684 Zac. Barber 
was hired to beat the drum on Sabbath days for half the 
year. The first school house was built in 1666. 

In 1683 the town hired Mr. Johnson to keep school one 
year for £11 ; twenty shillings of it to be paid in money 
within a fortnight, and the rest in town pay, with leave to 
be gone two weeks in the spring to j^ractice physic, and 
he was to deduct all other time so lost from his wajres. 
In 1723 the town voted £26 for a grammar school. 

The first settlers of this town had many and severe hard- 
ships. The greatest were those inflicted upon them by 
the savages. The burning of the town by the Indians 
under Philip, was doubtless the severest. Monday morn- 
ing, Feb. 21st, 1676, was the fatal period. On Sunday 
they had been seen on JMount Nebo and Noon Hill as the 
people came out from public worship. During the night 
the Indians had spread themselves over every part of the 
town, skulkino; behind fences and buildings. At the first 
dawn of day about fifty buildings were set into a blaze at 
the same instant. The damages were estimated at 9,000 
dollars. The best houses and the garrisons were saved. 
Eight of the inhabitants were killed, four mortally wounded, 
besides three soldiers killed, in all fifteen. John Fussell, 
aged about 100 years, was burned in his own house. The 
names of the killed and wounded were John Fussell, Henry 



128 HISTORY OF MEDFIELD. 

Adams, Jolin Bowers, John Bowers, Jr., Thomas Mason, 
Zachariah 3Iason, Jonathan Wood, and Elizabeth Smith, 
were killed, and three soldiers, William Williams, John 
Cooper, of Boston, and Edward Jackson, of Cambridge. 
The wounded were Margaret Thurston, Samuel Thurston, 
Daniel Clark, and Timothy D wight. 

With regard to the healthiness of the town, we find by 
visiting the Cemetery and reading the names and ages of 
persons buried there, that nearly a hundred were between 
the ages of seventy and ninety, and about twenty between 
ninety and one hundred. One female, Mrs. Margaret 
Wight, lived to the great age of one hundred and three 
years. 

The Baptist Society was formed here in 1752. Their 
first meeting house was built in 1772, and the Church was 
constituted in 1776. Their first minister was Bev. Thomas 
Gair. 

In the Revolutionary war the inhabitants of the town 
contributed a full share of support, and took a spirited 
part in the maintenance of its principles. Several of our 
citizens have lost their lives in each of the wars which have 
been waged, the French and Indian, the Bevolutionary, 
and the war of 1812. 

The following are the prices of some articles in the old 
tenor currency so called. In 1700 a barrel of powder was 
£8 ; sixty pounds of bullets 6s.; three hundred flints 6s. 
8d. ; boarding for thirty-eight days, £1 2s. ; sweeping the 
meetiiig house two years, £1. In 1609 cider was 8s. per 
barrel, apples Is. per bushel, seven pounds hog's lard Is. 
9d., flax Is. per pound, one plough 5s., four hundred and 
thirty rails £1. In 1702 lye was 4s. per bushel, wheat 
5s., corn 2s. 6d., three pounds of tobacco 7s., day's work 



HISTORY OF MEDFIELD. 129 

for man 2s., hat and Land 5s. Gd., maldng a coat 4s.,. 
a bible 5s., binding an old one 3s., men's sliocs 5s.,. 
women's shoes 4s. Gd., a bonnet Is. Gd., but lor per 
pound 7d., a man's year's service £10 Is., one year's; 
board for a student at Harvard College, £10. 

The first grist mill was erected in 1652. Samuel Bullen- 
built the first house, and his family were the first that 
moved into the town. The house stood a few rods north 
of where Mr. Daniel Hamant now lives. The first settlers 
had from six to twelve acres assigned them in the middle- 
of the town, and pasture and mowing lands at a distance. 
In 1697, of those who attended town meeting, ninety-eight 
were proprietors. Wtiches, weavers and slaves were an- 
ciently numerous in this town. 

The above historical facts are selected from a sermon' 
preached in Medfield, Jan. 5, 1817,. by Rev. Daniel 
Clarke Sanders, D. D., pastor of the CongregationaL 
Church in Medfield. 



EDITORIAL REMARKS. 

After a five years' residence in Medfield I can truly say- 
that it is a beautiful town, most pleasantly and delight- 
fully located, — altogether too beautiful and too delightfu-1 
to be the dwelling place of those who sympathize with the 
South in the present rebellion. It is with no small degree- 
of sorrow that I learn that there are such in this place. I 
had hoped that there would not be found a man mean 
enough in the town of IMedfield, a town which has ever 
been so devotedly attached to the Union, which generously 
and liberally gave her money and her men in the days of 

9 



130 EDITORIAL KEMARKS. 

that other revolution to establish the Union, the Constitu- 
tion and laws, for the defence and support of which we are 
now earnestly contending. I say I hoped that in this 
brave old town there would not have been a man mean 
enough to be on the side of this wretched, suicidal rebel- 
lion. But the day of their retribution is at hand, and 
may God grant that the righteous indignation of an in- 
sulted people be administered without mercy upon all 
such. One reason of the strength of the South is the firm 
and decisive manner in which they have dealt with all 
those who spoke, wrote, or did an3^thing against the inter- 
•ests of the Confederate government. 

Let the example which they have thus set us be followed. 
"Whilst our brave soldiers are fighting to put down rebel- 
lion at the South, let us who remain at home put down 
secession at the North. 

But a word more about Medfield and I close this article. 
Its natural scenery, rural beauty, the neatness, harmony 
and good order which generally prevail, the almost entire 
absence of loaferism and rowdyism, the morality, intelli- 
gence, benevolence, industry and sobriety of the inhabi- 
tants, all conspire to render Medfield a delightful place of 
residence, and I think that gentlemen in the cities who 
would like a quiet, pleasant home in the country, would 
find this to be one of the loveliest and prettiest places to 
be found. The remarks here made will enable the reader 
the better to understand the poetic description given in 
these pages. With my best wishes for the health and 
happiness, peace and prosperity of the dear people of this 
town, I subscribe myself their friend and fellow citizen, 

E. A. J. 

Medfield, Aug. 1862. 



I 

POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIELD. 131 



POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIELD. 

Come readers, one and all, and hear me tell 

Of the good old town in which I dwell ; 

Medfield is the name by which 'tis known, 

A finer one in the land cannot be shown. 

It dates its birth far back " in days of yore," 

As far, at least, as two hundred years and more.* 

The Indian sought to destroy it then. 

His war-whoop rang through forest and glen ; 

King Philip, the great Sachem of the red man's race, 

Marshalled his hosts within this place. 

He vowed a vow most awful and dire 

That the town he'd destroy with sabre and fire. 

He l?iid his plans with wisdom and skill. 

The dwellings to burn and the people to kill. 

As the sun on that dread morn arose, f 

What a scene did his radiance here disclose ! 

Sadness and gloom o'er the town was spread. 

Some of the people were wounded, others were dead ! 

Their houses and barns were in ruins laid, 

Oh ! the doleful work the savages made. 

The " Peak house " is e''en now presented to view, 

From which affrighted the Indians withdrew ; 

And thus was it spared on that dreadful day. 

And a visit to see it will well repay. 



* The town was incorporated in 16.50. 

t The town was burnt by the Indians Monday morning, Feb. 
21, 1657 ; an account of which is found in this book. 



132 POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIELD. J 

? 

But the red man has long since been gone, 

And the white man has here built a beautiful town, 

Where the good people dwell in comfort and ease, 

Surrounded by pleasure, plenty and peace. 

Here the farmer tills the rich fertile soil, 

Which amply repays for his trouble and toil, 

And the fine crops he raises of grasses and grain, 

Are equal to most in New England's domain.* 

The mechanic too, here finds employment good. 

By which he can earn his raiment and food, 

And lay up a few of his dollars and dimes 

To help when he is old or in other " hard times." 

W^e make here bonnets and hats of palmleaf and straw, 

As charming and fine as ever you saw ; 

This business is managed in that excellent way, 

A plenty of work and first rate pay ! 

Here carriages are made of an extra kind, 

Equal to any you may elsewhere find — 

They reflect much honor upon their spirited makers, 

For where are such wagons as Cushman & Baker's ! 

We have a " tin shop," and ! what a racket they make, 

But we will excuse them for the " good people's sake," 

For there we shall find " stoves and hardware " so shiny 

and nice, 
All latest in fashion and lowest in price. 
We have a Baker who makes beautiful bread, 
And sends around weekly to see that we are fed — 



* In 1857 one ninth of all the premiums awarded by the Norfolk 
County Agricultural Society were awarded to persons in Med- 
field. 



I 



POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIELD. 133 

His white loaves and crackers, bis cookies and buns, 

Are eaten by mothers and daugliters, fathers and sons, 

And right good they are too, " you'd better believe," 

And our pockets of " change " they often relieve. 

Two Butchers have we, who pass daily around, 

Selling their meat by the carcass or pound ; 

And when their beef, pork and mutton I chance to inspect, 

I think unless grossly mistaken. 
That e'en good Doctor Graham would hardly object. 

To a slice of their excellent bacon. 
We have a Tailor, who will " fits" to his customers give, 
For that's the best way such tradesman can live ; 
His work, rest assured, is all done " tip-top," 
As good as is done at any other tailor's shop. 
Blacksmiths and Wheelwrights we have a choice few, 
Without whom what would the good people do ? 
For on out-of-town jobbers they should net depend, 
Their horses to shoe, and iheir wagons to mend. 
Here are those who take good care of our feet, 
By making boots and shoes that cannot be beat ! 
We have hewers of stone and layers of brick, 
Who do up their work both neatly and quick. 
Of Painters and Carpenters we have a good share. 
Millers and Weavers and makers of Cabinet ware. 
Near the central part of this " good old town," 
May a first rate tannery be also found ; 
A few other trades some attention receive, 
Though most have been named I really believe. 
We have churches of three diff.'rent creeds. 
Each the " right way " professedly leads ; 
With a " neat house of worship," each church is supplied, 
Where the rich and the poor meet side by side ; 



134 POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIELD. 

A bell in each to-R-er calls the people to meeting, 

An organ in each house gives them a musical greeting. 

Three excellent schools where the children and youth, 

Are taught rich lessons of wisdom and truth ; 

And may they become both learned and good. 

Fit to stand in the places where their fathers have stood. 

Of School Teachers, we have a good number, I know. 

Who are loved and respected wherever they go ; 

They honor the town to which they belong, 

And are worthy the praises of the old and the young. 

We have those who teach music, that beautiful art, 

That cheers up the sad and sorrowing heart ; 

To them it seems especially given. 

To help make earth resemble heaven ! 

Fairs and Pic-Nics are by no means complete, 

Unless furnished with music charming and sweet ; 

And I believe 'tis acknowledged on every hand, 

That such music is furnished by the " Medjield Band.^^ 

In the Village is Uncle Sam's Post Office found, 

Where news can be had from the country round ; 

And where all, of whatever party or creed, 

Can find something useful and proper to read. 

And there is a good " public house " where the stranger 

finds a home, 
Undisturbed by the noise and confusion of rum ! 
Just give them a call, and as true as I'm a sinner, 
You'll be sure of getting a grand, good dinner. 
Three stores where dry goods and groceries are sold. 
And exchanged for " good paper," or silver and gold. 
And where people are " waited on " with kindness and 

pleasure. 
And receive in their dealings " good weight and measure." 



POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIKLD. 135 

A Livery Stable you'll find kept here, 

The horses of which you may drive without fear, 

They'll leave the road behind as fast as you please, 

And bear you thus onward in safety and ease. 

If to the great City 3'-ou are wishing to send, 

Here are men on whom for that you may safely depend — 

They will do up your business with " care and despatch," 

For what they do is done right up to the scratch ! 

Should our buildings chance to take fire, 

And threaten destruction fearful and dire ; 

We've a company of young men, active and brave. 

Who will from such ruin our property save. 

For its fine rural beauty the place is renowned. 

And also the quiet and neatness which largely abound ; 

The people are intelligent, industrious and steady, 

To help " the poor and needy " they ever seem ready. 

And though we don't make the fuss that some people do, 

Yet we are patriots, honest, faithful and true ; 

Some of our " boys " are with the army of " braves,"* 

Who are fighting against rascals, traitors and knaves, 

And they prove to be of pure " Yankee stuflf," 

And handle the rebels confoundedly rough. 

Our girls and young ladies are modest and pretty. 

Out vicing all the Belles who dwell in the city ; 



^ A good number of persons from this town arc now in several 
divisions of the army, most of them in the "Army of tlie Poto- 
mac." The first call for 300,000 was responded to by twelve per- 
sons, two more than the town's quota, and several have also en- 
listed in other towns, so that while other towns receive the honor of 
making up their quotas, the brave little town of Mcdfichl should 
receive full credit for the assistance she has thus afforded. 

E. A. J. 



136 POETIC DESCRIPTION OF MEDFIELD. 

No man here need live a .single blest life, 

So easy is it to get a good wife ! 

Our boys and young men I am liappy to say, 

Though they are sometimes lively, merry and gay — 

Yet I tliink they aim to do about right, 

And are not very apt to quarrel and fight. 

The good, noble manners of our Puritan Sires, 

Which love and hnmanity ever inspires. 

Are such as in Medficld the traveller meets, 

At home or abroad, in the work-shop or streets. 

Reader, if a place for a home is what you are seeking. 

Remember the Town of which I've been speaking ; 

For what I now tell you is true to the letter. 

That go where you please you can't find a better ! 

E. A. J. 
Medfield, Aug. 1862. 






THE REBELLION. 137 



THE REBELLION. 

BY THE EDITOR. 

It is not intended in this hastily written article to enter 
into an elaborate argument concerning the causes of the 
rebellion, nor to explain how or by what means it can the 
soonest be brought to a close. Suffice it to say with re- 
gard to the cause, that so far as the South was concerned 
there was no real or just cause for it. That there had 
been things said at the North upon the subject of slavery 
calculated to irritate the South, I will not deny. But if 
history is to be believed, yea, if we can rely upon what we 
know to have actually taken place by the action of the gen- 
eral government upon the subject of slavery, the South 
certainly have not been deprived of a single privilege that 
constitutionally belonged to them. 

Whatever they demanded they have received. They 
asked to have the Indians removed from within the limits 
of the slaveholdinoj states, because their settlements formed 
a sort of rendezvous for the runaway slaves, and the In- 
dians were removed at the expense of the general govern- 
ment. They asked to have Texas annexed, and it was an- 
nexed, and upon the shameful condition that there might 
be four slave states made from its territory, provided those 
states did not extend north of 36 degrees, 30 minutes 
north latitude. The annexation of Texas, just as had been 
predicted by our most sagacious statesmen, Gen. Jackson 
and Mr. Van Buren among others, led to the disgraceful 
war with Mexico, our sister RepubUc I And as in all the 



138 THE REBELLION. 

wars before, so in this, tlie North furnished the largest 
amount of men and means for its prosecution. 

Not satisfied, the South demanded that the good loyal, 
law-abiding, liberty-loving, slavery hating citizens of the 
North should be compelled by congressional enactment to 
unite with their blood-hounds to catch runaway slaves, and 
even a law to this effect was passed, and a more infamous 
act does not disgrace the statute book of the nation. Not 
only was the law passed, but it has been executed also. 
Yes, in the free (?) north, even in Massachusetts, in the 
city of Boston, the metropolis of New England, the great 
literary Emporium of the nation, the very Athens of 
America, even through her streets has been marched the 
wretched victim of Southern oppression, chained and man- 
acled, between two files of United States soldiers stationed 
there to prevent an enraged and insulted people from in- 
terfering to rescue him. Yes, northern men and northern 
money have been extensively and repeatedly used to re- 
capture the poor, panting fugitive, drag him back South 
and replunge him into the hell of slavery ! 

At last the South proposed that the Constitution should 
be so amended that slavery should be permitted or recog- 
nized south of a certain degree of latitude. But the North 
somewhat arroused to their danger and duty, for once said, 
No I Soon there was 

" Ground and lofty tumbling." 

Members of the Federal Cono;ress withdrew from that 
body, States seceded, the public property was seized, 
loyal citizens were inhumanly butchered, and all the hor- 
rors of civil war burst upon the country. The people 
were awakened, alarmed and hurried to the rescue. The 
loyal States seemed determined to outvie each other in 



THE REBELLION. 139 

their efforts to defend the Union and the Constitution 
Men by thousands, and money by millions were immedi- 
ately proffered to the aid of the government. From ocean 
shore to mountain top, from the wayside and the fireside, 
from the work-shop and the counting-room, from the semi- 
naries of learning and the sanctuaries of God, from the 
pulpit, the press and the platform echoed and reechoed the 
call, " To arms ! to arms ! for our country's defence ! " 
Husbands and fathers, sons and brothers left their homes, 
their friends and all that man holds dear on earth, and 
joined the " embattled hosts." All the horrid enginery 
of human warfare was put into operation. 

Battle after battle has been fought. Multitudes of 
brave, noble-hearted patriots have ftillen in death upon the 
field of conflict. Many once happy homes have been made 
desolate, thousands of once joyous hearts have been sad- 
dened by the loss of loved ones who have thus gone down 
to the grave. And still the war goes on — the end is not 
yet. The great and all-absorbing question now before us 
is, how and when will the rebellion cease, and the war be 
brought to a close ? As I am no military character, and 
consequently not acquainted with military tactics, I cer- 
tainly am unable to give any instructions relative to the 
movements and other arrangements of the army, nor to 
direct how, when and where battles should be fought. But 
notwithstandinf>; all the numerous blunders and mistakes 
which some of our " wiseacres " accuse our officers and 
" those in authority " of making, yet I feel that the busi- 
ness is much better managed than it would be even by 
some of the wonderfully sagacious fault-finders, who seem 
not -to have either couiage enough or patriotism enough to 
* go to the war,' but had rather stay at home and pick flaws 



140 THE REBELLION. 

with those who have gone. And by the way, there are- 
some who seem to think it their especial mission to hunt 
up all the errors of our national officers, and keep them 
constantly before the people. It is astonishing how much 
such persons pretend to know, although perhaps in all 
their lives they never saw a military parade, much less a 
battle, and yet they would try to make us believe that 
they know more "about war " than Scott or McClellan 
ever thought of knowing ! But probably the fewer such 
persons we have among us, and the less confidence we 
place in them the better for us. In the days of that 
" other revolution '' there were those who even found fault 
with Washington. Yea, there was a strong party against 
him, both in the camp and in Congress, and to such an 
extent did the feeling go at one time that his successor in 
command was named. But at length the people rallied 
around the renowned Chieftain and a glorious victory soon 
followed. Heaven grant that the people may do so 
now. There are undoubtedly errors and imperfections in 
our army affairs, but does cavilling and sneering at 
them remove them ? We are told that there are many 
traitors in the army. However true this may be, I am 
fully satisfied that there are many traitors and Southern 
sympathizers at the North, and to overcome and subdue 
such would be one step, a mighty stride toward putting 
down the rebellion and closins: tlie war. I would counsel 
no acts of violence, but if it is right to put down rebellion 
at the South, it is equally right to put down those who 
sympathize with and countenance it at the North. But 
how shall we know them ? Those who are sneering at our 
government, finding fault with its officers, discouraging 
and preventing enlistments in our army, lauding and prais- 



THE REBELLION. 141 

ing tlie talent, heroism, bravery and patriotism of Jeff. 
Davis and his traitorous crew. Such I tliink may be con- 
sidered by no means friendly to our country. 

If, therefore, there are traitors in our army, or traitors 
at the North, as no doubt there are, let them be punislied 
as they deserve, and let their property, if they have any, 
be used to support the government which they have des- 
pised and disgraced. Better, far better that every rebel 
and traitor, North and South, should perish, than that an- 
other single loyal citizen should be killed. 

As so many who ought to know more about this matter 
than I do, have so often predicted the time -when the war 
will close, and their predictions have as often failed, I will 
not undertake to tell when the glorious, and long looked 
for event will occur. But as this awful war is a judgment 
of God upon us for our sins, a righteous punishment which 
just Heaven has deemed necessary to inflict upon us for 
our numerous and fearful iniquities, we cannot expect that 
the judgment will be averted, or the punishment removed 
until, as a nation, we repent of our sins, and return to 
our allegiance to God. 

That slavery is the great, crying sin of the land, that it 
was the immediate cause of this rebellion, there can be no 
doubt ; but this is not the only sin of which, as a nation, 
even we are guilty. Sabbath-breaking, j^rofane swearing, 
licentiousness, intemperance, gambling, and all tlieir kin- 
dred evils are rife among us. And are tliere any signs of 
repentance of those sins? Are we, as a nation, repenting 
even of the sin of slavery ? Is not the fugitive slave act 
a law which sets aside some of the plain provisions of the 
Constitution of the country, such as the right of trial by 



142 THE REBELLION. 

jury, and some others. Is not this law, I say, recognized 
by our rulers as of binding force, and is it not executed by 
the federal authorities in the federal Capitol ? And are 
not the other evils to which I alluded, as common as ever ? 
Are not our hearts frequently pained by hearing the '* pro- 
fane oath and obscene jest," and by witnessing the wanton 
disregard for the Bible, the Sabbath and the sacred, chris- 
tian institutions — institutions which God has ordained, and 
which our fathers loved, cherished and supported ? Are 
not pride, fraud, deception, lying and cheating common, 
seen in every day life, countenanced too by some in high 
standing in the community, the church and the country ? 
Are not the official reports and other public documents of 
the different officers of our government and our army sadly 
and mournfully deficient in that recognition of the hand of 
Grod in our country's affairs which become the rulers and 
representatives of a great, Christian people ? Is there 
not a painful difference, in this respect, in the writings 
above referred to and those of Washington and his subor- 
dinates ? I do not refer to this matter in the spirit of 
bigotry or fault-finding, but rather with deep heartfelt sor- 
row, and if I have wounded, may the wound be healed 
with reform. 

We have indeed enlisted and sent into the field a vast, 
powerful, multitudinous and well" disciplined army, supe- 
rior to anytliing of the kind the world ever saw. But 
vain and futile will be the operations of this great army 
unless aided and assisted by a higher power than any of 
earth. And can we expect that God will bless us, that 
He will cause peace, happiness and harmony to result from 
these our efforts to crush out this fearful rebellion, while 



THE REBELLION. 143 

we are thus sinning against Him? Patriotism is not 
piety. "We may love our country, but not our God. Let 
us then seek to become not only devoted patriots, but also 
devoted Christians. Let us not only be faithful soldiers 
of the Union, but faithful soldiers of the Cross. Let us 
not only enlist under the banner of the nation, but also 
under the banner of the gospel. Let us humble ourselves 
before God, and deeply and unfeignedly repent of all our 
sins. Let us return to the " good old ways " of our 
fathers, and then, and then only may we expect that the 
blessing of our fathers' God will be upon us. 

Having thus hastily and briefly glanced at the rebellion, 
I must close, hoping that my indulgent reader will freely 
excuse all the imperfections that may be seen in this article. 
The subject is far from being exhausted, though my time 
and space may be. Had circumstances permitted, I would 
gladly have been more explicit upon some points, and I 
greatly fear that the brevity with which I felt myself 
obliged to treat them may lead to some misunderstandino-, 
but will hope for the best. 

May God in His infinite mercy grant that this fearful 
rebellion may soon cease, that this dreadful, desolating 
war may soon terminate, and that peace may be again 
within our borders. And when the great campaign of life 
is closed, with each of my dear readers, may they, by re- 
pentance of all their sins, and faith in our blessed Ee- 
dcemer, be permitted to share that " peace that passeth 
all understanding," and to enjoy that " rest that remaineth 
for the people of God." May death to each of them 
prove but an easy passport to that " better land " where 
there will be no more war nor bloodshed, and where part- 



^•14 THE REBELLION. 

ings and separations are never known, wbere sin and sor- 
row can never come, where pain and death are known no 
more. That this may be the happy portion of each and 
all, is the sincere wish, heartfelt desire, and humble prayer 
of their most unworthy friend, E. A. Johnson. 

Medfield, Sept. 1st, 1862. 



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